Luyobolola Primary School has approximately 900 students, but it does not receive much government funding, relying instead on contributions from parents to meet running costs. Many parents who struggle to make ends meet. This means that many of its facilities and much of its equipment is outdated. SERVE previously helped the school to build three new classrooms and a toilet/sanitation block, making a huge improvement to student life. SERVE was delighted to help the school again with this new project.  

Despite the fact that education is mandatory in Zambia, the reality is that many poor children drop out along the way. The latest available statistics show that the primary school enrolment rate is 86% and the primary completion rate is 79%. Meanwhile, the transition rate to secondary school is approximately 70%. All of these rates are lowest amongst young girls. 

UNICEF states that, “For children in the early years, the coverage of care, learning and education services remains persistently low. Overall, girls continue to be at a disadvantage with a large number of them dropping out in the upper primary and secondary grads, and poorer levels of transition to junior secondary and senior secondary levels.” 

The head-mistress of Luyobolola Primary School, Mrs. Cecilia Mutare said, “I express thanks to SERVE and all involved for this gift. I am very thankful. Without these desks I don’t know how well my children would have been. Enrolments to the school keep increasing everyday and all the help is welcome.”

Previously, the students depended on desks without chairs, meaning that they had to kneel at their desks, which did not aid their learning. Some desks had become badly warped over time and were not fit for purpose.

With our help, Luyobolola Primary School was able to purchase a set of new desks, which were locally made, and have improved the learning environment for the local children.