What we’ve achieved
Since 2021, we have been implementing projects step by step to expand the Marie School in Chikola – from new classrooms to clean drinking water. Here are some milestones that make our progress visible:
🧱 3 Buildings
Classrooms, Office, Bathrooms
💧Drinking Water
Well and water tanks installed
👧 100+ Kids
enrolled in the Nursery School
☀️ Solar Energy
Electricity for light, internet, learning.
Start of Project
March 2021
Construction of two classrooms with a small office, toilets, and a playground.
School Begin
June 2021
Opening of the nursery school with 50 children and two teachers.
Vital Water
October 2022
A drilling for drinking water is carried out, with water found at a depth of 200 meters. Using a solar pump, the water is brought to the surface and can be purchased affordably by residents. Fruit trees and vegetables can now be planted.
Green School
May 2023
A tree-planting initiative begins. So far, over 200 trees have been planted on the school grounds and in the surrounding area.
Charity Concert
December 2023
A charity concert takes place in Switzerland, and the proceeds form the financial foundation for the purchase of a school bus.
School Lunch
January 2024
A lunch program for the children is established. Parents contribute to the costs or bring produce from their own harvest.
Courses for Adults
March 2024
Tekla, our new teacher, starts an evening course for adults. In particular, interested mothers seize this opportunity to finally learn how to read and write.
Schoolbus
September 2024
At last, the dream of a school bus becomes reality. As many children still have a long walk to school, daily transportation now makes school attendance possible. Because of this — and not least because of the lunch program — student numbers rise sharply, and we soon need additional classrooms.
Village Shop
September 2024
Lameck sets up a small village shop, which quickly develops into a meeting place for adults. Alongside everyday food items, the colorful sweet soft drinks are especially popular.
Multipurpose Hall
September to December 2024
Unexpectedly, the Schmid Entrepreneur Foundation supports us with a generous donation. This allows us to begin construction of a multi-purpose hall with a kitchen. Meals are now primarily served there, and during heat or heavy rain everyone is grateful to be able to stay under shelter.
New Toilets
January 2025
New toilets with shower facilities are built. Since the hall can be rented for parties on weekends, these facilities are necessary, and they also represent a significant improvement for the teachers.
New Classrooms
March 2025
Two new classrooms are constructed, one of which will be ready in May. In the meantime, 90 children are already enrolled at the school. At the same time, the damaged access road to the school is improved. Its poor condition caused serious concern for the safety of the bus and the children during a visit from Switzerland in February.
New Kitchen
June/July 2025
The kitchen is equipped: in addition to running water, large gas cookers are installed. Our two cooks should no longer have to spend hours every day cooking over health-damaging smoke. When school resumes after the long holidays, more than 100 children are expected — cooking will be a true Herculean task.
Solar Energy
October/November 2025
A solar power system is installed on the roof of the Hans Schmid Hall, and the second classroom is completed. Everything is now ready for our next major project: the establishment of a primary school.