Build Tusoleke Trust school at Muke village in Zambia

Hi, my name is Mimi Anderson. I am a chartered accountant, running my own business, Lothian Accounting Limited (Reg. SC556470).

I planned a special 50th birthday holiday in September to visit Africa for the first time. After an amazing safari in Kenya, I travelled with my sister to Livingstone in Zambia. First impressions were a lot more poverty but also hope and determination on the faces of the people we met to build a bright future for their children. Zambia's president since 2021 is Hakainde Hichilema and he has two key goals which are:

1) free education for all primary school children and

2)quick malaria treatment for any citizen showing symptoms.

Improving Health and Education will allow Zambia to prosper.

We stayed at a gorgeous lodge on the banks of the River Zambezi and met Thomas, who took us out a number of times on the horses. It was a magical time.

On the last day, Thomas proudly showed us his village, Muke village which is around 20km from Livingstone town centre and through the National park. Although there are no wild cats in the national park, there are elephants and there is a real danger for young children, walking alone through the park to school in Livingstone.

Alex Jakanani is the local entrepreneur who runs the Muke village guesthouse (very reasonable prices if you want an authentic stay in Zambia): Muke village guesthouse on Booking com , desperately trying to raise funds in order to pay for teachers for the local village school. This has to be privately funded as the government will only fund the children's schooling if they walk the 20km each day there and back to a school near Livingstone.

At the moment, the school has 3 classes; Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd year of primary (so for children up to 7 years' old). Kindergarten is only outside and so they cannot run the Kindergarten during the winter months due to the high winds and rain.

When we visited, the villagers were building another school block to accommodate Kindergarten plus another class for 8 year olds. They had managed to build the walls but needed funds for the roof in order to build this before the winds arrived (in October/November).

Through my company, I personally funded the roof for the new school building so this could be built straight away. I have been sent lots of photos and videos of construction! I have shown the almost completed roof below. No contractors are doing this, it is the villagers' work.

I am now asking for contributions to help with internal fit out and desks which Alex has budgeted at $1,039. I have made the target slightly higher so that I can send the village good text books in English and Maths from the UK as their equipment is not very good and children have to share books and pencils.

All funds will go directly to Muke village and the school project. All my time spent administering this is on a volunteer basis as this is a project close to my heart. I have met the people and they have inspired me as they want to achieve the best for their children.