Building walls to build dreams in Zambia
6/06/2007
ChildFund New Zealand is launching a nationwide appeal to turn the dream of education into reality for the children of the Zambian community of Mumbwa. New Zealanders’ donations will address overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and a chronic lack of educational resources.
National Director Paul Brown says conditions at the school are hard for New Zealanders to comprehend.
“There are only four teachers for almost 500 students, and only three classrooms. There is one latrine style toilet for the entire school and no running water. Children sit on bricks because there are hardly any desks and chairs, and the few teaching resources the school has are worn out.
“The majority of the community is made up of subsistence farmers. They are committed to making the school work for the sake of their children's futures, but lack the means to make it happen. By contributing to the improvement of the school’s facilities and educating the children, generous Kiwis will not only have a positive impact on the whole community, they will also be helping generations to come.”
ChildFund New Zealand is seeking to raise $310,000 and will use the money to build new classrooms, repair existing ones, and fit them with basic equipment such as desks and chairs. It will equip the school with a library full of books and other teaching aids, including providing a mobile science laboratory. The improvements will be an entirely new experience for these children.
Members of the local community will learn the necessary skills to carry out the construction work, which includes building the toilet facilities and ensuring a reliable supply of clean water. ChildFund New Zealand will also start preparing younger children in the community for learning by establishing an early childhood development centre for children aged six and under.
Mr Brown says by making a donation to this appeal New Zealanders have a unique opportunity to make a big difference to the lives of the children of Mukupi School and the entire community. Donation options range from $22 to provide exercise books for five children through to $60 for a pallet of bricks to assist the building programme or just over $2,000 to provide one of 10 new blocks of private and hygienic latrine facilities.
Donations to help the children of Mukupi School can be made by visiting https://www.childfund.org.nz/donation/index.html or calling 0800 223 777.
