Sewing Machines and Life Skills for Mapengani School
Project background
After completing two new classroom blocks for this large primary school, we realised there was still a strong need to equip the staff and students with more resources for teaching and learning. We were able to raise funding for the basic classroom equipment shortly after completing construction, but we knew much more could be done to improve the educational outcomes for the school.
Additionally, there was a strong need for practical items for particularly disadvantaged children coming from child-headed homes. These children needed more practical support with personal items such as school uniforms.
How did we help?
Working in close consultation with the staff at Mapengani Primary and with our supporters, we were able to identify several areas of need in terms of resources. The strongest need was for tools and equipment for developing useful skills for the children in preparation for life after primary school.
We were able to fund the purchase of new sewing machines as well as recruit volunteers to train children and some parents in how to use them to sew and mend school uniforms. We also sourced building tools and trained those interested pupils basic carpentry skills which they could use in their own personal lives or to secure a job in later life.
Finally, we donated 20 new computers to the school. While mobile phones are common all over the developing world, desktop computers are still rare, yet digital fluency is increasingly important in modern life and in growing economies. We found volunteers who were able to train staff and students in the use of the equipment to promote valuable IT skills for the school children.
Project outcomes
Children and staff of any school are always grateful for donations, but this massive drive for new, skills-based equipment on the school has had a significant impact on the pupils' lives. The teachers and parents are pleased to see the children growing academically as well as in important skills which can translate to above-average career prospects compared with other young adults coming from the same region.
We will continue supporting Mapengani in their use of the equipment and in finding volunteers to show pupils how to use them to develop and get ready for the future.
