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EDUCATION
New
Double Classroom Block at Mwaya Primary School
The Mwaya Primary School Committee made a successful application to
the EU to fund a new double classroom block to replace the block that
had previously collapsed. However, the community found it difficult
to coordinate the building work and, in December 2006, asked for RIPPLE
Africa’s assistance. RIPPLE Africa’s building team immediately
started moulding the concrete bricks and constructing the block, and
the structure was completed by the end of March 2007. The classrooms
are large, light and airy, and provide a perfect environment for the
pupils. We’ve gained a lot of experience with this building, and
it’s now the template for our secondary school classrooms. |
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| The completed
foundations of the double classroom block |
The building
team did
a fantastic job |
The classrooms
are large
light and airy |
One of
the first lessons being given in one of the new classrooms |
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Teachers’
Offices and Store at Mwaya Primary School
This building has taken much longer to construct than we had anticipated
because we’re using our new interlocking soil stabilised bricks.
These bricks fit together rather like Lego®, and a minimum amount
of cement is used. The building is nearing completion and will be
finished by August 2007. These new interlocking bricks will be used
on the new secondary school, and we’ve learnt a lot about making
the bricks and building methods.
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| Some
of the primary school pupils helping to mix the cement |
Frank
making sure the walls are level |
The
interlocking bricks use very little cement to make and lay |
The
building ready for the ring beam to be constructed |
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Two
Temporary Double Classrooms at Kachere Primary School
Throughout most of Africa, there’s a tremendous lack of resources
in all areas, and it’s very noticeable in the schools. Kachere
Primary School, 7km from Mwaya, only has two double classrooms for over
900 pupils. Currently, about 400 pupils are using two very dilapidated
temporary structures (see the picture below). RIPPLE Africa is providing
funding to build two new temporary double classrooms, but we would like
to feel that we can raise funds to build two permanent double classroom
blocks in the future. |
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| Kachere
Primary School
Video |
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The
current temporary double classroom structure at Kachere Primary
School which accommodates about 400 pupils |
Some
of the pupils at Kachere Primary School in
one of the temporary classrooms |
Mr
Gondwe, the headmaster, with some of the pupils who have classes
in the temporary classrooms at Kachere Primary School |
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We’re
Now Supporting Five Nursery Schools
We’re now supporting five nursery schools with the help of the
Thompson Taraz Charitable Trust (TTCF) who are paying the teachers’
salaries. These schools are proving to be a great success, and we have
some very dedicated Malawian teachers. More of our volunteers are now
assisting in these nursery schools, and Sara, a volunteer from New York
City, arrived at Mwaya with two huge suitcases full of toys, books and
other supplies for the nursery schools. |
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Some
of the children and teachers at Mwaya Nursery School |
Children
at Matete Nursery School playing with some Lego® |
Matete
Nursery School |
Rachael
with some of the children at Mazembe Nursery School |
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Mazembe
Nursery School Building Project
The Mazembe Nursery School is held in a dilapidated church building,
and we put an appeal on our website for funding to construct a new brick-built
nursery school. One afternoon, we were contacted by the Managing Director
of Driven Worldwide who really liked what RIPPLE Africa is doing, and
he immediately agreed to donate the full cost of constructing a new
building for Mazembe Nursery School. The community has started to mould
the bricks and building work will begin during August 2007. |
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Mazembe
Nursery School
Video |
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The
clay is mixed and put into brick moulds |
Then
the bricks are turned out of the moulds to dry in the sun before
being piled into a kiln |
The community
members who are helping to
mould the bricks for the new
Mazembe Nursery School |
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Building
Work Has Started on the New Secondary School at Kapanda
At long last, we’ve started work on our Community Day Secondary
School (CDSS). RIPPLE Africa will be funding and coordinating the construction
of the buildings, and the government will be paying for teachers’
salaries, textbooks, etc.
We’ve
been wanting to start building this school for a long time, but it’s
been so difficult to raise enough money. Thanks to a very generous donation
from YorkTestCARE, we were able to commit to the building project. We’ve
also had some fantastic donations from various donors towards this project,
namely, Henry (who cycled in L’Etape du Tour de France) and his
fiancée Teresa, Adrian and Paul (who walked Hadrian’s Wall),
Jamie and Joanne (who organised a Summer Ball in August 2006), Gordon
(who volunteered for us in 2006), Trust in Children, and other donors. |
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| Brick
Making Video |
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Mixing
the soil and cement for the interlocking bricks |
Putting
the mixture into
the brick press |
Pressing
the brick |
Taking
the pressed brick
out of the press |
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The
school is located in a beautiful area of forest about 3km from Mwaya,
and we started making the access road and clearing the site in March
2007. On our last trip during May and June 2007, a storeroom was built,
and we started moulding the interlocking bricks with the brick press
we bought in Zambia. A team of six people prepare the soil, mix it with
the cement, and press about 420 bricks per day. It’s a very economical
method of construction as over 60 bricks are made from seven wheelbarrows
of soil and one bag of cement, and then very little cement is used when
building the walls. We’ve started construction of the first double
classroom block which we hope will be completed by November 2007. In
addition, we’re building two teachers’ houses and some toilet
blocks. Aleke Banda, the local MP, has contributed some of his constituency
funds towards the construction of the teachers’ houses, and the
community has provided burnt bricks for the foundations. The community
will also be making 60,000 burnt bricks during the dry season for the
foundations of future classroom blocks, teachers’ houses, offices,
etc.
This
is a very large and worthwhile project, and we
will need more funding for additional classrooms, teachers' houses,
toilets, etc., so that we can continue with the building programme.
If you want an interesting project to raise money for, this could be
the one for you (click here
for building costs). |
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The
bricks have to cure for about three weeks before they can be used |
A
view of the partially cleared site for the classroom blocks |
Digging
the foundations for one of the teachers' houses |
The
foundations for the first double classroom block |
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Library
The library is proving to be a huge success — even better
than we had anticipated. In 18 months, only one book has gone
missing. The Assistant Librarians are often sent by Mr Longwe,
the Head Librarian, to chase up overdue books on the library bicycle!
The library is always immaculate, and there’s been a lot
of interest from visitors to the area to donate more books. Although
we have a large number of books to be sent out from the UK, we
desperately need funds (about £800) to buy books in Malawi,
particularly secondary school textbooks, some of which are quite
expensive, and books written in the local language. |
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Company
Registration No. 04823686 •
UK Registered Charity No. 1103256 |
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