Zambia
Education, Human Trafficking
$11,500 Goal
Summary of the Situation
Kalubula Primary is a community school started by the daughters of the Redeemer. It aimed to increase the levels of welfare in Mutangama village and other surrounding villages by providing basic education. The village is remote and hard to reach, 19km from the main road. Pupils have to walk 17km to the nearest school as there is no public transport. The congregation gave the school a second-hand vehicle, which we have used since 2019. However, the vehicle is old and not reliable anymore, which has caused us to miss important activities. The school is about 22 km from the education offices. Sometimes, we have to walk to and from because there is no public transport. It takes 5 hours to walk to and from if we are to participate.
How will the funds be used?
Purchase a new van to transport children to school and other activities.
The Sisters’s Response
Providing primary education to vulnerable children, especially in rural areas where the poorest of the poor reside, is essential. The government seems to overlook the right to education for those who cannot access it. A reliable vehicle would reduce the daily 17 km walk that students currently endure, allowing them to fully engage with the Zambian curriculum. This long walk also exposes children to the risk of human trafficking. With a new vehicle, the administration can complete tasks on time, and missing important activities like workshops and meetings will become a thing of the past. During the rainy season, the area often floods, but a new vehicle would ensure we are not cut off, as we typically struggle to reach the school during these six months.
Systemic Impact
Children who are not attending school lack the skills needed for a self-sustaining life, leaving them vulnerable to risky lifestyles and human trafficking.