Marvelous Mikumbila

After six months hard work from the local community, contractors and trainees, the new school is 80% complete. The design follows Build IT’s unique hexagonal classroom shape. Foundations and superstructure are in place, plastering, drainage and windows have been completed. All that remains to be done is the roofs where tiling is due to commence in mid January. 

This project has run to schedule largely because the local community’s enthusiasm for the work meant no hold ups with the supply of raw materials. Philiman, the contractor and his team of 10 should also be congratulated on their diligence. 

Our partnership with the school has been very strong. Under the direction of Mrs Zulu, the new head-teacher, the school is performing well and delighted with the doubling of capacity that the new classrooms will bring. This is critical as many new children have been registering with the school.

Mrs Zulu has also influence the design of the class-rooms with two of the six sides dedicated to blackboards and display space. This is especially useful for multi-grade classes which are common because of the shortage of classrooms. She told our Director, Andrew Jowett, on a recent visit to the project:

“thank you for helping our school and our community, we are so happy with the new classrooms…many people are coming here and looking at the new classrooms asking what is happening to our school!” 

Good progress is endorsed by Brighton, our Building Programme Supervisor in his latest report

“The quality of the roof structure done by Wiseman and his team is good and Mr. Phiri has done a good job on the superstructure. With good coordination of the contractors coupled with a well implemented program, the works should be completed by the end of January 2010”. 

This project is supported by the COINS Foundation and other UK grant making foundations. Thank-you.