By SIMON MUNTEMBA
A school that began 28 years ago under a tree with just 25 children has reached a defining milestone after Communities Without Borders (CWB) officially handed over a ZMW1.3 million (US$70,848) state-of-the-art classroom block and appealed to the Government to adopt Sekelela Community School as a fully fledged public school.
The newly completed 1×4 classroom block at a total cost of ZMW 1,320,000, comprising four classrooms, a science laboratory and a computer laboratory, marks a major step in the transformation of Sekelela Community School in Lusaka West into a junior secondary school, bringing quality education closer to nearly 800 learners from one of the city’s most vulnerable communities.
The project, funded by Communities Without Borders USA, is expected to ease classroom congestion, strengthen science and digital learning, and provide a safer and more conducive learning environment for pupils.
Speaking during the handover ceremony yesterday, Communities Without Borders (CWB) Board Chairperson Mark Chilongu said the occasion symbolized far more than the commissioning of a new building.
“Today is far more than the handover of a building. It is a celebration of hope, resilience, partnership, and the unwavering belief that every child, regardless of where they are born or the circumstances they face, deserves the opportunity to learn, to lead and to dream,” Mr Chilongu said.
He described education as one of society’s greatest equalisers, capable of breaking the cycle of poverty, restoring dignity and unlocking human potential.
“Every classroom we build, every teacher we support and every child we invest in is an investment in the future of Zambia,” he said.
Mr Chilongu reflected on the school’s humble beginnings in 1998, when it operated beneath a tree with only 25 pupils and a volunteer teacher determined to ensure children from vulnerable families were not denied an education because of poverty.
“There were no modern classrooms, no science laboratories, no computers, and very few learning resources. There was only a dream that education could transform lives and that every child, regardless of circumstance, deserved a chance to succeed. Today, that dream stands before us,” he said.
He said the school had grown into a thriving institution with almost 800 learners, dedicated volunteer teachers, improved examination results and modern learning facilities.
Mr Chilongu attributed the remarkable transformation to the collective efforts of the community, Government and development partners.
“As CWB, we are humbled to have walked alongside this community over the years. Our commitment has never been to replace the Government, but to complement the Government’s efforts in ensuring that children from vulnerable communities have access not only to education, but to quality education,” he said.
He said CWB, together with its partners in the United States, had invested in books, desks, teacher training, school meals, electricity, clean water and now a modern science and computer laboratory to equip learners with the scientific and digital skills required in the 21st century.
Mr Chilongu paid a glowing tribute to the school’s 18 volunteer teachers, describing them as the unsung heroes behind Sekelela’s success.
“The excellent results produced by this school are not accidental. They are the product of years of dedication, professionalism and sacrifice by teachers who have consistently chosen service over comfort and purpose over personal gain,” he said.
He appealed to the Ministry of Education to formally adopt Sekelela Community School as a Government school, saying the move would recognise nearly three decades of community sacrifice while guaranteeing sustainable support for the institution.
“Government adoption would not replace the community’s commitment; it would strengthen it. It would not diminish the contribution of development partners; it would build upon it. Most importantly, it would send a powerful message that no child should be disadvantaged simply because they were born into a vulnerable community,” he said.
Mr Chilongu reaffirmed CWB’s commitment to continue working alongside the Government to expand access to quality education, proper nutrition and better opportunities for vulnerable children.
Receiving the facility on behalf of Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Dr Kelvin Mambwe, Ministry of Education Director Felix Ngoma praised CWB for its continued investment in Zambia’s education sector and assured the organisation that the Government had taken note of its appeal.
“We have taken note of the 18 volunteer teachers. We have also taken note of your appeal for the Government to adopt Sekelela Community School.
The District Education Board Secretary and the Provincial Education Office will commence the process in accordance with the laid-down procedures before the matter is submitted to the Permanent Secretary,” Mr Ngoma said.
He said the Permanent Secretary had intended to attend the ceremony but was away on national duties and would receive a detailed report on the submissions made.
Mr Ngoma described the new classroom block as a significant investment in the country’s future.
“This is an investment in the future of our children. It will provide a safer learning environment and improve the quality of education. We highly value this partnership and encourage other organisations to emulate CWB,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that expand access to quality education for all learners, regardless of their social or economic background.
Mr Ngoma also appealed to teachers, learners and members of the community to safeguard the new facility against vandalism.
Sekelela Community School Headteacher Sandra Mukesa Kamane expressed gratitude to CWB for its unwavering support over the years, saying the new classroom block would significantly improve the learning environment and enhance the delivery of quality education.
She also thanked the organisation for providing stipends to the school’s 18 volunteer teachers, whose dedication has sustained the institution’s impressive academic performance.
Speaking on behalf of the learners, Form One pupil Catherine Kamimba thanked CWB for investing in their future and pledged that the pupils would study hard and take good care of the new facility.
Community representative Joseph Museba also praised the organisation, saying its continued support had transformed the lives of children and families in Sekelela.
Over the years, CWB has supported the school through the construction of classrooms, provision of desks and books, teacher training, clean water, electricity and school meals, helping transform what began as a makeshift learning space beneath a tree into a thriving institution preparing hundreds of young people for the future.
For the children of Sekelela, the new classroom block is more than bricks and mortar. It is a symbol of hope, opportunity and the enduring power of partnership to transform lives—one child, one classroom and one community at a time.
