Blog

After the project’s successful take-off it is now time to report in detail in the state of things and the joy of the supported pupils.

Some of the supported pupils together with a teacher (left)

Support for 20 pupils

The Zambian school year is divided into three terms and starts in January, so the second term just began when the support for the first 20 pupils started in May. Taking into account that Schulfee is a new project whose success and sustainability cannot be foreseen, the Development Department together with the head of St. Mary’s school decided on a slow start with ten pupils each from grades 7 and 9 and a duration for the remainder of the year.

What makes those grades special are the end-of-year examinations that decide about passing on or repeating the class. Many pupils that cannot afford the examination fees (due at the start of school year) drop out of school without a degree. Others, being confronted with the exams, are even more likely to give way to the prolonged pressure to abandon their education and instead contribute to the family income. Agnes Simolooka from the Development Department compares the two years to two bridges that need crossing. If you help pupils across it means a big step for a successful education is done.

The 20 supported pupils had their school fees for the remaining two terms paid, in some cases even the outstanding payment for the first term. Apart from that, uniforms, material and examination fees had already been paid for. The pupils understand that this support is for now limited for the current year. Their excitement and joy is clear and we are glad with them.

Donations

Apart from occasional donations and some regular transfers of private individuals, funds have been raised by collections in church services and weddings as well as student parishes from all over Germany. A lush contribution has been made by Anne-Frnak school in Düren with EUR 2,000 that will be repeated in the next two years.

Fundraising is done not only in Germany but in Zambia as well. The slogan Sharing the little we have drives the efforts of mostly young people that contribute to Schulfee. Spreading out from the district Monze the project becomes known in more and more places, perhaps inspiring new projects elsewhere.

Ideas for the next years

This first initiative has been less expensive than will be usual, since it fell halfway into an ongoing school year. Consequently their are quite some savings from this year that can be used to maintain and grow the project. Some ideas for the future include:

• Increase the amount of support for the examination grades 7 and 9. More schools can be taken into account.
• Expand the support to cover the graduation class 12. Passing grade 12 marks a successful school career and is the requirement to enter Zambian universities. A basic school like St. Mary’s only covers grades 1-9 so that afterwards pupils need to change to a different school like Monze High, where the fees are way higher. Naturally, the final examination comes with a fee as well. Instead of or in addition to a one-year support as for grades 7 and 9, a kind of scholarship for the whole grades 10-12 seems reasonable.

Voices of supported pupils

Shebby Maingaila

Shebby, grade 9, in front of a building of St. Mary’s school.

“I am a half orphan and my father who is still alive is not supporting me with my education. I used to sell chickens and vegetables to raise money for school feel but all these are finished now. Please help me with my education.”

Davison Muchindu

“I was born in 1998 and i live in Simwete village of St. Mary’s area.  I am a grade 7 pupil at St. Mary’s primary school.  I stay with my grandmother who struggles to send me to school.”

Davison und his grandmother in front of their home… …and in front of the school.

Delphine Chimbwe

“My name is Delphine Chimbwe.  I am 17 years old and in grade 9 at St, Mary’s primary school.  My mother passed away when I was 2 and my father when I was 3.  now I stay with my grandmother who is old and sick.  Because of her condition, she is unable to raise money for my school fees.  Before you paid for my school fees, I missed classes because I was chased from school.”

Bright Malambo

“I was born in 1999 and i started school in 2008.  both my parents are dead and now i stay with my uncle who fails to pay my school fees as he depends only on farming.”