SCALEAfrica

We are delighted to announce that SCALEAfrica has received 501(c)3 status from the IRS, meaning that all donations are now tax-deductible. This status is retroactive, so if you made a donation to us last year, you may submit for a deduction on your 2007 tax return. We hope that this will further encourage you to donate generously, knowing that great progress is being made at the school and you’ll get a bit of a break yourself.

Since our last update, the fundraising effort has been very successful and the generousity of SCALEAfrica supporters continually amazes us. We are nearly half way to our Phase I fundraising goal of $150,000. That means we still have a ways to go, but fundsgenerated so far have allowed us to reach a landmark in our efforts at Chiutika; the near completion of the first classroom block.

Significant progress has been made on the classroom building and the contractor, his workers, and the community have been hard at work. As of the end of April, the foundation and the exterior and interior walls have been completed. Windows, doors and vents made by local artisans were are installed and work is in progress on constructing the brick piers and internal walls that will support the roof. Be sure to check out the latest picture gallery

We are hopeful the building will be completed by the end of June 2008 with students and teachers moving in as soon as the paint dries. We will also furnish these rooms with desks, chairs, and blackboards. This new building will provide four large classroom, three teachers’ offices, three storerooms, and the first-ever faculty meeting room. These spaces will effectively double the capacity of the school and provide a comfortable learning environment for the students. Operable window, roof and wall vents, and clear roofing sheets will allow for a daylit and ventilated space.

Our work will not end with the new classroom building. Next, we’ll be moving on to constructing teacher housing, a Life Skills workshop and new sanitation facilities for the students and teachers in the coming months.

We will be travelling back to Zambia in June to celebrate the “grand opening” with a celebration done Zambian-style. That means that there will be some speeches by our government partners, but also some music, dancing and a chance for us to personally thank everyone in the community for giving all that they could to make this project a success. So, check back then to see the completed building – made possible by your continued support of SCALEAfrica.

Jotham has the honor of being our first “Student Success Story”, not only because he was the top student at the Chiutika Basic School, but because he is one of the sparks that keeps us forging ahead with this project. We met him on our second visit to the school. Mr. Lungu was eager to have us meet his best and brightest. When we remarked to Jotham that Mr. Lungu thinks he’s an excellent student, he smiled shyly while looking about the schoolyard and plainly stated, “I am good, but I could be even better…” He didn’t really need to end the sentence, but we saw the “if only” in his face. Since we last saw Jotham, he successfully passed the entrance exams and gained entry to the Chizongwe Secondary School in Chipata, the Eastern Province’s capital. Chizongwe is a highly selective boarding school, with a focus on technical skills. Jotham continues to inspire his headmaster, teachers and fellow students at Chiutika.