Mansfield charity builds new school for children in Zambia

Workers from The Peaceful (Uhuru) Trust, which runs charity shops in Mansfield, Mansfield Woodhouse, Sutton and Nottingham, came up with the plan after visiting the Mwape district in the Luangwa Valley of Zambia in 2016.

“The school they had at the time was nothing more than what we would perceive as a carport structure,” said one of Peaceful’s trustees, Charlene Burton-Betts.

“The village didn’t have any action plan for improvements to speak of, so we thought it logical to help.

“We feel that education is the most important ingredient in a child’s future, and that every child should have a basic right to education.”

Work started on the new Chanda School in June last year and although progress was delayed by a rainy season in Zambia that was longer than usual, it will soon be ready to open for 120 youngsters.

“It’s a massive achievement for our charity, and we are very proud of what we have accomplished with some help from others in the Mansfield area,” said Charlene. “Who knows what some of our children at Chanda School can achieve in the future?”

The Peaceful Trust’s shops sell clothes, shoes, furniture and other household goods, helping to raise money for worthwhile projects both at home and in some of the world’s poorest regions, particularly within Africa and Asia.

Help for the Zambian project was provided by the Mansfield-based National Police Aid Convoys, which donated furniture, equipment, stationery, uniforms and school bags. These filled a huge container that is on its way to the Luangwa Valley now and should arrive in May.

What’s more, Vision West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield kindly offered to organise a collection of pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners and pencil cases for the new school.

“We are now planning our journey to go and officially open the school with Esther Lungu, Zambia’s First Lady (wife of the President), in May or June,” said Charlene.

“We are hoping that by the time we depart, we will have amassed enough items to be able to take every child their own uniform, school bag and pencil case with all the basics they need.”