Learning In A Real Classroom
By Agatha Mali, Communications Officer, Zambia
Every morning, 9-year-old Tiyeseko used to walk to school with mixed feelings. She was eager to learn, but her “classroom” was nothing more than a small grass-thatched shelter. Inside, the floor was dusty, there were no desks, and children had to squeeze together shoulder-to-shoulder.
“We used to sit on the floor, and sometimes the wind would blow dust into our books,” Tiyeseko remembers. “There were so many of us packed into one room, and we had to learn only for a few hours so that other children could also use the space.”
The overcrowding and short hours of learning meant that many children like her struggled to concentrate. When it rained, lessons were cancelled altogether because the grass structure could not withstand heavy weather. For a long time, Tiyeseko’s dream of learning seemed fragile.
But things began to change when World Vision, through the “Upube mwakutemwa” project, constructed and donated a brand-new 1x2 classroom block for the school.
The new school infrastructure brings immeasurable joy to the children and the community. Parents, teachers, and learners came together to celebrate the new facility that promised a brighter future for their children.
Today, Tiyeseko’s face glows with happiness. “I am very happy because now we have a big classroom with enough space for everyone. We have desks to sit on, and we can learn for longer hours without being disturbed,” she says confidently.
Parents in the community are equally grateful. 36-year-old Mary Mumba, a mother of three and community member says, “For a long time, our children were learning in very poor conditions. Sometimes they would come back home dirty from sitting on the floor. As parents, we are very thankful to World Vision for giving our children dignity and a safe place to learn. We believe that with these new classrooms, our children will have a better future.”
For Tiyeseko, the classroom block is more than just a building it is a foundation for her dreams. “I want to work hard and become a teacher so that I can also help children learn,” she says.