Our Impact
Mafungautsi Primary School – A Community Story of Hope and Growth
Mafungautsi Primary School
A Community Story of Hope and Growth
At Kiambi, we believe in giving back to the community that makes the Lower Zambezi so special. That’s why part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts are dedicated to supporting Mafungautsi Primary School – a rural school now serving as a learning home to more than 400 eager students.
About the School
Mafungautsi Primary School was founded in 2000 when farmer Mrs. Marjory McGuckian generously built the first two classrooms, a semi-detached house for teachers and four toilets. The school officially opened its doors on 27 May 2002 with just 78 pupils, two Grade 1 classes, and a single teacher
Over the years, the school has grown steadily:
• Current Enrollment: 475 learners (230 boys, 245 girls)
• Teachers: 9 permanent staff + 2 volunteer teachers
• Age Groups: 3–16 years (Pre-school to Grade 9)
The school’s mission is clear:
“To empower learners and the community through the provision of quality, lifelong education.”
Challenges Faced
Like many rural schools in Zambia, Mafungautsi faces significant hurdles:
• Too few classrooms (only 4 permanent classrooms for 9 grades)
• Inadequate housing for teachers
• Lack of running water
• Limited stationery and teaching resources
Despite these challenges, the school remains a beacon of hope for the community
Kiambi’s Support
Kiambi has been proud to walk alongside Mafungautsi on its journey of growth. Through our
support, the school has been able to:
• Pay wages for volunteer teachers, helping reduce the pupil–teacher ratio
• Fund co-curricular activities like sports, cultural programs and academic clubs
• Motivate learners with rewards such as boat cruises for top achievers
This motivation has borne real fruit: in 2023, student Craig Chikamba achieved the highest Grade 9 examination results in the entire zone, inspired by the encouragement he received through these initiatives.
Dreams for the Future
The school’s vision is to become a centre of excellence, and its most urgent needs include:
• Additional Classrooms: including a dedicated block for Early Childhood Education, to ease
congestion and ensure a smooth learning journey from the earliest years.
• Mini-boarding Facilities: designed to accommodate learners who currently travel long
distances to access education. These facilities will not only reduce fatigue and absenteeism
but also create a safer, more supportive environment for academic success.
• Safe Staff Housing: enabling teachers to live closer to the school and fully dedicate
themselves to learners’ growth.
• Reliable Access To Electricity & Running Water: ensuring a healthy, conducive learning and
living environment for both learners and staff.
• Stationery & Computers: equipping learners with the tools they need to succeed in today’s
world.
By addressing these needs, Mafungautsi will not only improve learning conditions but also attract more teachers, extend teaching hours and reduce health risks linked to poor sanitation.
How You Can Help
Every donation – big or small – directly changes the future of Mafungautsi Primary School and it’s learners.
Your support can help turn the dream of a school of excellence into reality!
If you would like to be part of this journey, please get in touch with us at Kiambi Lodge to learn how you can donate or support Mafungautsi Primary School.
Together, we can build brighter futures – one learner at a time.
