Kwasha Mukwenu Update
Our newest Trustee, Tim Legge, reports from Zambia after a recent trip during which he visited the Kwasha Mukwenu Community School, one of our supported projects.
“My first visit to Kwasha Mukwenu was in November 2021 and I was impressed to learn about the education provided to vulnerable and underprivileged children, as well as by the commitment of Christopher, the Headteacher, and his teachers. On that occasion the school was closed for holidays, although a private tuition class was being conducted. I was accompanied by Mwate, who lives in Lusaka. She suggested that the creation of a Facebook page would attract interest in the school and with her help, Christopher subsequently established one, which is entitled Kwasha Mukwenu Women's Group.
We made a return visit on 7th April, when the school was open. We saw a large number of pupils and soon after our arrival they had lunch of nshima and relish, which was prepared by some of the founder members. They are now elderly but remain committed and hardworking. We were pleased to exchange friendly greetings with them. There are about 180 pupils, with the youngest being aged 12. The teaching covers grades 1 to 12 and I think there are 4 teachers, including Christopher.
After lunch, Christopher invited me to speak to the pupils, who listened attentively and politely to my short address, in which I expressed our pleasure at being there. I quickly handed over to Mwate, who spoke in Nyanja and encouraged the pupils to study hard in order to obtain employment and improve their lives. She told her story of coming from a poor family and qualifying as a registered nurse. She was well-received and ended by praying for the pupils, their teachers and all the helpers. Our gifts of footballs and educational posters were much appreciated.
Christopher then took us to the recently opened pre-school, which was some 10 minutes' walk away in another part of Matero. There we met the 3 teachers and just a few of the 60 or so children who attend, because the school had closed for the day and they were the last ones awaiting collection. As at the main school, the teachers welcomed us and impressed us with their commitment and relationships with the pupils. There are 3 classrooms and a yard at the front of the building.
Undoubtedly Kwasha Mukwenu is doing very good work with its pupils and is worthy of our continued support.”
If you’d like to support this or any other of our projects in Zambia please head to our website https://zambiasocietytrust.org.uk/donate-now and follow the link to Just Giving or any of the other options shown.