Our goal is to deliver high-quality education to vulnerable young people in the town of Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia; and the need is huge! When we opened in 2014, there were only two other secondary schools in Kapiri (in an area that requires 38). Now, in 2025, there are around 15 schools in the area - we are still very short of the number required.

Kapiri Mposhi was described in a well-known guide book as a “town which visitors often pass through, but where they seldom linger” but we are so glad that this did not put the founders and Principals Martin and Karolyn Simbeye off and instead, they have made this town their home (along with their five children) and the people their community.

In the last ten years Vinjeru Trust School has come a long way. The school now comprises three classroom blocks, a school hall, a primary school (which is currently being expanded because the demand is so great), a basketball court and a boarding section of around 120 pupils.

We believe every child is worthy of being loved and should have the chance to reach their full potential, and education is pivotal in achieving this aim!

As an independent trust school, we aim to give students opportunities that are not readily available in publicly funded schools. While most of these schools only offer the bare minimum of three hours of classes a day, overcrowded classrooms and no extra-curricular programs, VTS strives to fully support students by providing a full day of classes as well as after-school sports, clubs and societies, ensuring a well-rounded and holistic approach to education.

It is undisputed that the best way to improve literacy within a school is by reading books, and in line with our vision, we are planning to build a library at the school that would also include a staff room and a resource area for young people that struggle academically. In the evenings this would serve as a study-space for the 120 or so boarders, meaning this building will be in use from dawn to dusk almost everyday.

At the moment, demand for places in the school has led to the existing library being used as an extra classroom. The staffroom is currently another classroom which again limits the number of pupils the school can have.

As such, a new library building would free up two classrooms which creates space for more pupils, and creates a space to foster a culture of reading within the school which promotes literacy and research skills, which improves grades and creates opportunities for young people. Having a resource area, where 1-2-1 teaching could occur uninterrupted would be a game-changer as it would allow the school to develop and grow their resource department and help all young people reach their full potential.