Lubombo Primary School was started in 2002 by the local community to prevent pupils from walking over 10 km a day to reach their nearest Government School.  This rural school currently serves 100 households, has eight teachers and 135 pupils.

Pupils outside their new classroom block

With generously donated funds, we’ve been able to build a double classroom block, increasing the total number of classrooms to seven.  Only a few years ago, when the whole school was operating out of a church hall, this development seemed like a distant dream.

Delivery of materials

The new classroom block mid-build

As is the rule in Zambia, new school buildings must be commissioned by the Ministry of Education following inspection by the District Engineer.  The commissioning is a great cause for celebration within the community as it is their hard work that made the project a success.   The ceremony was well attended and the children had prepared songs, poems and a short play for the event.

The commissioning ceremony

One of the biggest obstacles for rural Zambian schools is being able to attract and retain teachers.  They are often reluctant to stay in remote areas where they have to live in mud huts with grass thatched roofs with no running water, no electricity and no sanitary toilet facilities.  Prior to the completion of this project, one teacher occupied the office, whilst another lived in the store room behind the school.    We are now delighted to report that both teachers have been able to move into the newly constructed twin teacher house.

The office where a teacher used to live

The new twin teacher house