In a remote corner of Zambia, where access to education has been a distant dream for many girls, a beacon of hope is rising. The story of St Mary’s Anglican Secondary School for Girls in Chama is one of perseverance, community spirit, and international collaboration—a story that began with a vision to change the lives of vulnerable girls in one of Zambia’s most underserved regions.
The Challenge Chama, a district plagued by the challenges of early pregnancies, child marriages, and limited educational opportunities, has long been overlooked by many NGOs due to its remote location. The girls in this area have faced a bleak future, with little or no access to education beyond primary school. Recognizing the urgent need for change, the Livingstone Initiative stepped in, determined to make a difference.
The Beginning of a Dream With the support of generous donors from the UK, the Livingstone Initiative has raised over GBP 142,000 to kickstart the construction of the school. Almost 750 hectares of land have been allocated for the project, and significant progress has already been made. The first building, a girls’ hostel, is complete, and an ablution block with running water and sewage is nearing completion. A borehole, the main source of water in the area, has been drilled, replacing a small, deep, and muddy well, and water storage tanks have been erected.
A Remarkable Journey In 2011, St Mary’s School in Calne, UK, made a bold commitment not just to fundraise but to send a group of senior girls to Zambia to help build the school. In 2013, they did just that. Giving up their autumn half-term, the students traveled to Chama, where they worked tirelessly in the October heat. Their efforts resulted in the completion of the first building and nearly finished an ablution block. Along the way, they immersed themselves in the local culture, entertaining villagers with cultural dancing, sharing “pop” dancing, and building unforgettable bonds with the children and community.
Support from Scotland The project received a significant boost in 2013 when The Bishop of Edinburgh, The Rt Rev Dr John Armes, included The Anglican Children’s Programme in the 2013 Lent Appeal. The appeal raised substantial funds that went directly to the school project in Chama. The alignment of two major contributors bearing the same name—St Mary’s in Calne and St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh—led to the decision by the Bishop of Eastern Zambia to name the new school St Mary’s Anglican Secondary School for Girls Chama.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Plans The journey continues, with volunteers from The Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh lending their expertise in 2019. They helped raise the roof on the large girls’ hostel and added finishing touches, such as door and window frames. However, there is still much to be done to realize the dream of providing a safe environment and education for 1,000 to 1,500 vulnerable girls and orphans.
The school is now almost ready to welcome its first intake of Grade 8 students, but additional support is needed to:
- Drill and line more boreholes
- Construct further classrooms, dormitories, and ablution blocks
- Install solar lighting
- Conduct a hydrology report on the agricultural land and develop a plan for grazing, growing, and harvesting produce
- Build a science laboratory
- Obtain essential equipment for the school, such as library books, desks, and chairs
- Improve agriculture to provide life skills and sustain the school through the sale of produce
- Enhance healthcare for both the school and the community
Government and Community Support The Zambian Government is also playing a crucial role. They have constructed the first tarred road into the district, improving access and logistics, and have opened a small general hospital and a clinic in Tembwe, with plans to expand the clinic into a medical center. The Ministry of Education has committed to providing teaching staff, housing, and wages, ensuring the school’s long-term sustainability. Additionally, COMACO, a conservation agriculture company, is assisting local farmers with rice production, helping to boost the local economy.
The community, too, has been instrumental in the project’s progress, making bricks from river sand and water, providing manual labor for free, and contributing in various other ways, which has significantly reduced the overall costs of the school.
A Bright Future St Mary’s Anglican Secondary School for Girls in Chama represents more than just a building; it symbolizes a future filled with hope, opportunity, and empowerment for the girls of this remote community. By providing education, life skills, and healthcare, this school will offer these children real choices in life, ultimately benefiting generations to come.
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