School grows to provide education to youth and adults

(MissionNewswire) The Garden Open Community School, located in Thorn Park, a neighborhood in Lusaka, Zambia, has solar panels and newly painted classrooms in the primary section thanks to donor funding from Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The improvements to the school aid the learning environment for the students in vulnerable situations who attend. The enrollment keeps growing as the government schools are crowded with sometimes more than 100 students to a classroom. The Salesian sisters who run the school provide smaller class sizes and a good education.

The school serves primary and secondary students as well as adults who take trade education in computer studies, hospitality and cooking. Nine of the classrooms were constructed in 1993, and the project helped improve those outdated classrooms.

A Salesian sister said, “This was an important project to help the school improve the learning environment for students. The solar panels have allowed us to save on the cost of diesel for the school. This funding can be used now to help make improvements in the school for the students.”

Salesians in Zambia provide a range of social development programs and education to aid youth who are poor and at risk so they can have a healthy, productive life. Early education helps youth gain a foundation to allow them to later advance to skills training for employment. Basic needs are met along the way ensuring youth focus on their education.

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Photo courtesy of Salesian Missions (contact for usage permissions)

Salesian Missions – Zambia

UNICEF – Zambia