In 2015, Anna* and her husband Daniel* moved to Mkushi, Zambia, with their young child to serve the community. However, they faced a significant challenge: the nearest school was 12 kilometres away, making it impossible for their daughter to attend. And it wasn’t just her struggling. All the children in the area faced the challenge of having to walk 12 km if they wanted to go to school. Some of the older children did it, but it was impossible for the younger children.  

One night, Anna had a dream where she was teaching many children at the OM base in Mkushi. Inspired by this vision, she shared it with her husband the next morning. Together, they decided to act. Anna asked her husband to accompany her to the neighbouring homes, where she requested permission for the children to join her own child for learning sessions at their base. Initially, they found two children, and with the parents’ consent, they began their learning. 

As word spread throughout the village, more children joined, eager to learn. Despite lacking resources, Anna’s dream had become a reality, providing access to education for those who needed it most. The school began with just a reception class and has expanded grade by grade. Now it has 92 students from reception to grade 6. 

Supporting learners, young and old 

The new school has been supported by Education In Africa (EIA), which has run literacy training sessions for teachers at the school. Although children were coming to the school, many of them were still struggling to read and write. The EIA trainers introduced a new literacy teaching method that the teachers were quick to adopt. 

All the teachers embraced the training to support their students and have now shifted their attention to their slower learners, committing to providing one-on-one learning to help them learn how to read and write well. 

The school’s staff is also growing, with five teachers now compared to just one in the beginning. They are praying for additional teachers and the introduction of a grade 7 class. This expansion would help students to continue their education locally, removing the need to travel long distances to the nearest school after completing grade 6.  

Now, for so many young children, school is just a short walk away. Anna’s desire to give her child a good education is now giving many children in this rural area a brighter future.  

*name changed