Build a School began as a labor of love after serving in Zambia as a Peace Corps volunteer in 2013. Our initial goal to help the community of Chishi complete its two-room schoolhouse turned into a commitment to ensure the children have access and ongoing support to the best possible education.  

 

Why is this school so important? Zambia, located in Sub Saharan Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world. In most cases, lack of information and poverty are the leading reasons for such high HIV/AIDS numbers. Education and being able to learn in a safe environment are the best ways to combat this disease. This school is located in one of the poorest and remotest areas of Central Zambia. Without Chishi Community School, the children in this area would have to walk in excess of 10 miles to reach the nearest Government school. For many young children this feat is not possible and results in very low school attendance. Right now, volunteer teachers are conducting classes in the small two-room building Build a School helped complete. Still, many children are not able to attend school because of the financial hardships of their parents. Girls are often seen as less important when it comes to education and if parents have to choose one child over another, they will send boys first. The goal of Build a School is to see that paid, qualified teachers provide the children of Chishi a quality education. Ongoing support and the implementation of a feeding program will lesson the burdened to parents resulting in higher attendance rates for all children, especially girls. Higher attendance, reduced poverty, and a safe environment to learn as well as reduced rates of HIV infection are why this cause is so important.

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