SCALEAfrica

SCALEAfrica is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to the improvement of rural schools in sub-Saharan Africa through the use of sustainable building techniques and active community participation. The model of sustainable design is intended to allow communities to build in ways that can be supported and maintained by their existing resources, with a focus on improving public health and education. SCALEAfrica aims to meld principles of sustainability with practical and cost effective local solutions.

SCALEAfrica will accomplish its objectives through localized solutions tailored to each school. We will personally administer expenditures through managers on the ground, allowing donors the opportunity to make a direct tangible impact and monitor progress. All while minimizing overhead costs.

Our first project will focus on the Chiutika Basic School, an impoverished 1000 student primary school in the remote village of Mfuwe, Zambia. The school is overcrowded and underfunded, with students being taught in poor conditions. Our multi-phased goal is to restore existing structures, build new student and teacher facilities and improve sanitation. The first phase of the project is expected to take 12-24 months with a budget of $150,000USD. We have engaged an experienced Project Manager to supervise the project and will work with the Luangwa River Lodge as a logistic partner.

SCALEAfrica was formed in December 2006 by Erinn McGurn and Guy Baron, a married couple living in New York City. Erinn has 12 years of experience in residential & commercial architecture. Guy, who is originally from Zimbabwe, works for a global investment bank. With strong family ties and a deep personal affinity for the area, we have both traveled numerous times to sub-Saharan Africa. Our connection to the region, the opportunity to work with these communities and the friendships we’ve formed reinforce our deep dedication to this project and the longer term goals of SCALEAfrica.

We first visited Mfuwe, Zambia, the site of SCALEAfrica’s first project, in December 2005. Our initial interest in Zambia was as a safari destination considered largely unspoiled. Mfuwe is a typical rural village located just outside the South Luangwa National Park. Prior to our trip, we discussed with the lodge the desire to visit a local community. They directed us to a nearby school where they were friendly with the headmaster. When we visited Chiutika Basic School, we knew we found a community in dire need of assistance. At that moment, we committed to making a difference. Shortly after our second trip to Mfuwe in August 2006, we formed SCALEAfrica on the principles that the way forward is together, with students, parents and teachers all participating in these efforts.

The future of Zambian children hinges on their ability to receive a basic education. Currently, the government can only fund primary education through Grade 7. With almost 50% of the country’s population under 15 years of age, the quality of that education does not adequately prepare students to continue on to the secondary level and severely limits the potential of the entire country to eradicate poverty and address public health issues. Many schools like Chiutika Basic School fall into such disrepair that years can go by before their needs are met. Consequently, students are receiving less instruction with even fewer learning resources. Despite these challenges, they are enthusiastic learners and know that their futures can be changed by their educational success.

These challenges are global, but the solutions are local. Real change can occur only when the people affected are the primary players in making it happen and sustaining the effects. SCALEAfrica introduces sustainable building techniques to the community with the expectation that everyone who benefits from these improvements participates in making it come to life. Whether it’s making bricks by hand, carting water for the concrete mixture or painting walls, each individual will have a hand in building their future. SCALEAfrica’s principles of sustainability are rooted in similar successful models implemented in other regions of the world. Further, within sub-Saharan Africa (and specifically in Zambia) the model of local school rejuvenation with active community involvement and external funding has had good success rates. SCALEArica will require each school that it supports to submit a “Sustainability Plan” to ensure that our resources are a building block, not a continuous circle of funding.

A sustainable school is one that will still be standing for future generations of students. It’s one that can easily be maintained and repaired, so that scarce resources can be spent on education rather than keeping a roof over the students’ heads. It’s one that empowers them by acting as a reminder that they’ve made a valuable contribution to their own community. And, it’s one that acts as a launching point for their future – a future we all can have a part in improving.

This project is funded entirely through private donations. To help us achieve the current fundraising goal, you can make a secure donation to SCALEAfrica via PayPal by clicking the Donate button to the right. SCALEAfrica is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible. To learn more details or about other ways to support our organization, link here to Your Support.