Zambian Rainbow Development Foundation
CHIBOMBO SCHOOL BUILD
14th May 2020
7th May 2020
On going construction works in Chibombo for the 1x3 CRB is at wall plate level.
In one of the videos, you will see Chibombo community members transporting bricks onsite for the completion of 1x3 classroom block as part of their 25% material contribution.
In another video, a message from the Chibombo PTA chairperson was given to thank ZRDF and all the donors for supporting the community.
This activity had an attendance of 47 Chibombo community members. The following were the activities done;
1. Formation of producer groups goat keeping
2. Feasibility study with forestry department
3. SILC methodology orientation
4. Focus group discussion on menstrual health, family planning and HIV/AIDS
5. Monitoring of the construction of teacher's houses and a Classroom block (CRB)
A producer group for goat keeping was formed by LFSPO with women only and 50 women were identified.
The feasibility study was for beekeeping as will be seen in the video.
SILCPO taught the community about SILC methodology stressing emphasis on constitution-making, being led by an executive, and chose people they trust to be in their SILCs.
The views on family planning and menstrual hygiene were positive though there was a need to break the barrier of social norms and beliefs. The topic of menstrual hygiene was quite new to be discussed in public.
ZRDF staff (SPO, SILCPO and HIVPO) presented on COVID-19 and the measures to take not to contract the pandemic affecting the entire world.
The houses for teachers are been plastered outside as they are done with the inside. Toilets have been completed. The CRB is at ring beam level.
April 2020
Despite the challenges of the Coronavirus the Chibombo build has moved forward in leaps and bounds with fantastic progress. As you can see from the photos, all buildings are in place and the project is shaping up nicely. The Director and the Building Officer from the Ministry of General Education (Mr. Mushikwa) have visited Chibombo to monitor the progress on the 1×3 CRB, teacher's houses and VIP toilets being constructed. The Building Officer from MoGE has also voiced his approval.
March 2020
The community have been moulding thousands of blocks for the construction of the new classroom block. The chief's advisor encouraged community members to work even harder for the betterment of their community. This commitment from the community is an important part of the development of the school and accompanying buildings and because the materials are being produced on-site, it keeps the cost of the project down, not having materials being transported from outside the region which in turn helps to reduce the carbon footprint of the project - an important consideration in a world where caring for the environment is of paramount importance.
The community members are working hard for the blocks to be ready and are thankful to ZRDF, BZT and Big Give for the support.
February 2020
The latest community to be supported by the Zambian Rainbow Development Foundation (ZRDF) – Chibombo, is welcoming the very first steps of a building project as materials are being mobilized for the construction of a three classroom block.
A representative of the regional chief thanked ZRDF and its partner organization - Baynard’s Zambia Trust (BZT) for facilitating the opportunity to have a school. BZT which is based in the UK, raised the funds required for the build which will also include teacher’s houses, toilets and handwashing facilities, with a campaign in December supported by ‘The Big Give’ – a UK initiative where public donations are doubled.
BZT’s Chairman, Patricia Napier said “We are delighted to have been able to implement this project to provide Chibombo’s population of 5,000 people with a school for the children of the community. To date, we have programmes in 15 communities in the area which have very much improved the lives of the communities who are given the opportunity to gain a level of sustainability in terms of self-governance due to improved educational resources, support in agriculture, HIV and AIDS education and support and women’s village banks training.”
Chibombo is one of three new communities that ZRDF are supporting with a combined population of around 12,300 that will benefit from their initiatives. The community themselves play a big part in the build and even with the rainy season taken into consideration are committed to having the 75,000 bricks needed, cured by the end of February. Keep up to date with the progress of the build as it happens by following the ZRDF and BZT social media feeds.