CBU students begin construction of 1x3 classroom block in Musonda Compound

Students of the Copperbelt University have officially begun the construction of a 1x3 classroom block at Ipusukilo Community School in Musonda Compound.  

The project which was started in 2015 has taken over two years to pool resources together and begin construction. 

“it is so exciting to be part of such a great movement of social change. The academic lives of these underprivileged children in Musonda and Ipusukilo compounds will never be the same” said Lombe Chitalu, the Acting Site Manager and fifth year student in the School of Built Environment. 

The construction is by far the most ambitious of the projects started by the student-run organisation called The Piggy Bank Campaign. 

“Its been a long road to get here, with many potholes and hurdles but definitely worth the journey,” expressed Purity Musatila, an Engineering student and newly elected Co-Chairperson for the Campaign at CBU. 

She added that they are hoping the enrolment would increase from about 700 to 1000 pupils per year after the construction is done. 

Early this week, the contractor managed to cast the slab with the help of some of the members of the Campaign. 

Pupils at the school have also been participating by watering the slab during the curing process. 

Parents and members of the community have been participating in the project by manually excavating earth needed for making blocks. 

“We are hoping to complete the construction in the next three months – give or take. We have managed to connect the school to the water supply system and after construction we are hoping we will have enough resources to connect it to the power grid. Our hope is to get some computers and turn one of the classes into an ICT Hub for underprivileged kids from Musonda, Kapoto and Bulangililo Compounds” said Joshua Simfukwe, one of the Co-founders of the Campaign and a graduating student in the School of Business. 

“With a permanent structure that is connected to the power grid like the one we are building, we can spread our wings and start night school for the parents and other adults in the compounds who, for one reason or the other, were not able complete their schooling but are still eager to learn” added Mr. Simfukwe. 

The Piggy Bank Campaign has been pooling funds for construction from the student populace as well as other well-wishers and philanthropists.