Early Childhood Development

Education is the foundation of opportunity, and in Zambia, the partnership between ChildFund and the https://www.transearchchildfund.org/ of Germany, led by the Ackerman family, is transforming learning environments for thousands of children. Since 2010, the Ackermans have played a pivotal role in improving access to quality education, beginning with their adoption of Namununga School in Chibombo District.

Namununga School was built in 1966, but for over four decades, it did not receive any significant renovations. By the time the Ackermans adopted the school in 2010, its infrastructure was in a state of severe disrepair, with classrooms and facilities nearly unusable.

When the Namununga School Improvement Project was launched, the school had only one usable classroom block, while the other structure, lacking windows and with a severely eroded floor, was unsafe, especially during the rainy season. As a result, many learners had no choice but to stay home or overcrowd the single functioning classroom. Additionally, there were only 10 teachers for a pupil population of 769, making it nearly impossible to provide quality instruction.

Through their sustained support, the Ackermans, working with ChildFund, have dramatically improved learning conditions. To date, their contributions have facilitated the construction and full equipping of five new classroom blocks, 10 teachers’ houses, and an Early Childhood Development (ECD) center, which is powered by solar energy. Recognizing the need for access to clean water, a comprehensive water reticulation system was installed to benefit both the school and the surrounding villages.

Beyond education, the partnership has extended to healthcare. In 2019, a health post was built to serve over 1,000 students and an additional 5,400 community members. To strengthen healthcare services, two semi-detached staff houses for health workers were constructed in 2021, ensuring round-the-clock medical care for the community.

Families here used to walk up to 10 kilometers to access healthcare, which was extremely difficult, especially for those who were very sick. Pregnant mothers often chose to give birth at home, which was equally dangerous. That is why we will always be grateful to ChildFund and the Ackermans for this clinic,” said Chibombo Council Chairperson, Newton Nyeleti.

Having successfully transformed Namunuga into a model school, the Ackermans shifted their focus to Katete Primary School, also in Chibombo District. Their interventions began in 2022 with the installation of a water reticulation system and the construction of a three-classroom block, which was commissioned in early 2023. This investment significantly boosted school enrollment, increasing student numbers from 700 to 1,021.

School head teachers Renartus Mushibwe said girls at the school used to miss class for an average of 45 days per year due to poor sanitary facilities before the Ackerman’s constructed the shower rooms at the school.

“This school serves 13 surrounding villages with a combined population of nearly 6,000 people. However, until ChildFund through the Akermans intervened, there was only one toilet shared by both boys and girls. There was also no dedicated washroom for girls to manage their hygiene during menstruation. As a result, many girls stayed home for about five days each month, adding up to approximately 45 days of missed school per year. This significantly impacted their academic performance,” said Mr. Mushibwe.

Continuing their commitment, the Ackermans commissioned another one-by-two classroom block in January 2024, further expanding learning spaces and opportunities for children in the area.
“We believe that every child deserves the chance to dream, to learn,” said Ulrich Ackerman at the commissioning of the latest classroom block. “And it is our privilege and honor to play a small part in making those dreams a reality.”

The ongoing collaboration between ChildFund and the Transearch Foundation exemplifies how strategic partnerships can drive lasting change. Through their investments in education and community development, the Ackermans are not only building schools but also nurturing brighter futures for generations to come.