By Vincent Gunde……
A newly international organization registered in Malawi in 2021- Let’s Build will from November, 2023 expected to commence construction works of classroom blocks and associated pit latrines for both boys
and girls in Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSS) of Dowa district.
Let’s Build will implement Batch 3 construction works for 30 classroom blocks for 23 CDSSs in Lilongwe Rural and Urban and 7 in Dowa district with 7 double classroom blocks and 6 pit latrines for Mdika, Chakhaza, Simbi and Chimwetsero CDSS, among other public secondary schools.
The organization was founded in Norway in April, 2020 with a vision of “a classroom for everyone” has been in operational in Malawi from 2022 constructing classroom blocks in CDSSs of Lilongwe and Dowa is their next target from November, 2023.
Introducing the project to the District executive committee (Dec) in Dowa, Let’s Build Construction Projects Manager Tisaiwale Chimphamba, said her organization has been proved to be a trusted partner for communities, government and education stakeholders cooperating with Local Government to improve public secondary infrastructures.
Chimphamba said the construction works is focused on the construction of classrooms in public secondary schools through local contractors saying in Dowa, six contractors were selected and are currently waiting for VAT exemption application made by Let’s Build to Malawi Revenue Authority MRA
She said the project in Dowa will target 3,600 beneficiaries, supervision to be done by National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) Registered consultants with support from District council and School Management Committees (SMCs)
The Manager said when their construction is complete, they handover the classrooms to Local Government for long term use saying the classrooms are fully furnished with desks and chairs observing that this has increased enrolment in CDSSs.
She said Batch one of construction works which started in May-December, 2022 saw 2-twin classroom blocks with a capacity of 60 students per room and two-holes pit latrines disaggregated by gender with Menstrual Hygiene Management facilities for persons with disabilities in Lilongwe Rural.
“Kabudula, Chiseka, Sendwe, Matapila and Nselera CDSS had their structures completed and were handed over to Ministry of Education in December, 2022,” said Chimphamba .
She said Batch 2 construction works saw 15 double classroom blocks and 16 2-holes pit latrines (8 for boys and 8 for girls in 8 CDSS of Central West Education Division (CWED) Chadza, Chiwamba, Ndaula, Kalumbu, Chiunjiza, Mpando, Chikhutu and Chitukula are the beneficiaries of the project.
In his remarks, District Director for Health and Social Services for Dowa Dr. Peter Makoza, advised Let’s Build to register with the council and Dowa CSO Network for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation, transparency and accountability.
Dr. Makoza reminded partners implementing their various interventions in the district to share to the District executive committee (Dec) quarterly progress reports of their projects so that together they can change the face of Dowa.