BUILDING FOR BETTER LEARNING AT JALAWE CDSS
Education Division Manager Jennings Kayira appreciating the progress
In Mwaziko Village, Traditional Authority Njikula, something transformative is taking shape, a construction project that is changing the outlook and offers hope for enhancing educational opportunity at Jalawe Community Day Secondary School (CDSS).
The construction of a dining hall and kitchen at Jalawe CDSS is now well underway, thanks to a joint initiative between the community, Ulalo and International Project Aid (IPA). Once complete, the facility will accommodate 450 students and serve as both a dining and multipurpose space for school and community activities.
For years, the school has exhibited poor infrastructure, running boarding facilities without adequate infrastructures means, learners have had to navigate poor meal infrastructure and limited space for communal gatherings. With enrollment growing and the need for a dignified, healthy school environment becoming more urgent, this facility couldn’t come at a better time.
"This facility will not only enhance the learning environment but also promote the wellbeing of students through proper nutrition and a sense of community," said Mr. Jennings Kayira, the Education Division Manager for the Northern Education Division, after touring the site in July.
Mr. Kayira applauded the quality of the work and commended the level of collaboration between Ulalo, IPA, school leadership, and the surrounding community.
“What’s happening here is more than construction, it’s a statement of what’s possible when development is local, coordinated, and focused on learners,” he added.
Our International Partners on the Ground
Contractor explaining project progress to IPA Team
Later in the month, Pietro, Nicole, and Oliver from International Project Aid visited the site to observe the project’s progress first-hand. They were amazed by the quality of construction and the speed of implementation. But what struck them most was the collaboration, energy and ownership from local leaders.
Following the site tour, the IPA team engaged in a discussions with chiefs, teachers, and community members. They spoke about the importance of infrastructure in shaping not just learning outcomes, but school pride, health, and participation especially for girls and vulnerable learners. They also talked about other school needs, hostels, teachers houses and many more.
A Bridge to Opportunity
At Ulalo, we believe that physical infrastructure must go hand-in-hand with community ownership and long-term sustainability. The Jalawe project is a model of this: initiated through shared need, executed with joint effort, and destined to serve as a cornerstone for local development.
“What excites me is not just the building itself,” said James Gondwe, Executive Director of Ulalo. “It’s the fact that students, chiefs, teachers, and partners all see this as theirs. That’s what will sustain it.”