Our trainees are making great progress on the construction of new classrooms and latrines for the children at Mwachisompola Primary School.
The school is located approximately 66km north of Lusaka, in a rural area where agriculture is the main source of income. Households are clustered around large commercial farms. Many people work as farm labourers.
The school serves 565 pupils from preschool to Grade 7, with only 11 teachers. Currently there are just three basic classrooms and four latrines. These facilities are insufficient and overcrowded.
Your support means we can improve the learning environment and sanitation conditions at this busy school.
Work commenced in September 2023 on the construction of a 4-classroom block. One of these classrooms will be a dedicated ICT classroom.
Work also started on building a 4-cubicle latrine block, plus urinals. This will include a dedicated wash space to help girls manage their periods, supporting them to stay in education as they grow up. The teachers will have their own separate 2-cubicle latrine block.
Excavations begin for the foundations of the classroom block.
25 young people are helping us build these new facilities for their local community. They are going through our Training into Work programme. They are learning valuable construction skills and gaining practical work experience that will help them find new employment opportunities in the future.
The concrete footings and substructure blockwork (below ground level) were completed. The space was then backfilled and compacted. A 100mm-thick concrete slab was then poured.
The team has started the brickwork of the superstructure (above ground level), together with installation of metal door frames.
Work is also going well on the construction of the ventilated improved pit latrine block for the pupils.
“My name is Catherine. Thank you for the toilets you are building for us, they will improve our hygiene at the school… At the moment we only have two toilets, the additional toilets will help us so much and means pupils will avoid going into the bush when they find the toilets occupied. Thank you to the funders for the toilets being build for us.”
A brighter future
The school started in 2004 as a community school, and was upgraded to a government school in 2011. The school sits on a substantial which provides sufficient space for future growth.
The construction of the new facilities will help create capacity to add Grades 8 and 9. The school is ambitious and would like to continue to expand, eventually providing education up to Grade 12 to meet the needs of a growing population.
The new facilities will be completed by spring 2024. Thank you for your support in building a brighter future for young people in Zambia.