Nankhanga School Block

About this Project

The Chikudzo Development Committee, located in the area of Group Village Headman Mwesakumva under Traditional Authority Msakambewa in Dowa, is embarking on the construction of a two-room classroom block with an office space at Nakondwa Primary School. This second project at the school aims to upgrade the school to a full primary school and reduce the current 8 km distance that senior students walk to access education at nearby schools. The initiative is expected to lower dropout rates and allow Standard 8 students to write their Malawi National Examination Board (MANEB) exams locally. Additionally, it will contribute to reducing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, rape, and defilement cases in the area. The new block will also serve as a venue for community meetings, and the inclusion of office space will provide teachers with secure storage for teaching materials.

Construction of the Nankhanga School block is progressing steadily, with the structure currently at the ring beam level. The community’s dedication, coupled with Mudzi Connect's support and the village’s 25% contribution in cash and kind, has ensured smooth implementation of the project. When completed, the school block will alleviate the long distances children currently travel to access primary education, as well as provide a much-needed space for community meetings. Local residents, like Labson Kafundu, Elison Banda, and Thomson Banda, share their excitement for the project, viewing it as a beacon of progress for their village. For them, the new school block signifies not only better access to education but also a brighter future for the children and the community as a whole.

Community members from Chikudzo Village and surrounding areas in Msakambewa, Dowa District, are celebrating the nearly successful construction of a two-room classroom block with an office space at Nankhanga Primary School. The project used $7,408.05 to promote access to quality education and support the school's vision of upgrading to a full primary level, which will enable it to administer Primary School Leaving Certificate (PSLC) examinations on-site. Currently, senior class students who previously walked 8km to a neighboring school have now been enrolled at Nankhanga Primary. Although the project has experienced funding challenges due to the price fluctuation of project materials, which has delayed the completion of activities such as flooring one of the classrooms, installing doors, windows, and air vents, as well as painting and furnishing, the classrooms are already in use and benefiting learners. Elson Phiri, 51, a community member, shared his thoughts: “The project has transformed the school’s appearance and created a more conducive learning environment for students who used to learn under a dilapidated grass-thatched shelter.”