There are approximately 11,000 elementary school-aged children in Dzaleka Refugee camp, but only about 6,300 (58%) are enrolled in the educational system, largely due to a lack of classroom space. Even with the low percentage of students attending school, class sizes can be more than 150 students to 1 teacher. The dangers of not attending school for children and youth in the camp are real. Continued education from primary to secondary school is proven to decrease child labor, sexual exploitation, and child marriage.

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The Opportunity

You have the opportunity to help construct a school of excellence for refugee and Malawian students.

The Goal

The classroom offers a place of safety, where children and youth build the hope, knowledge, and skills they need to live productive and independent lives. The classroom is also a place where children from different tribes and nations learn to understand their shared humanity and see the dignity in all people. We believe such unity can and will help create a peaceful future in the region. Our goal is to construct classrooms for students from preschool through grade 6 furnished with desks, blackboards, and textbooks to provide a safe and positive environment for learning. We also want to create a secure and beautiful school campus that inspires learning and makes students feel safe and proud to be learning.

The Strategy

Ebenezer Academy is the vision of a group of refugee leaders to address the challenge of education in Dzaleka Refugee Camp. The need is overwhelming, but our refugee partners refuse to give up as they unwaveringly believe this problem is solvable. Our strategy is to get behind their leadership, experience, and the trust they have built in the community as educators.

Progress

The first phase of construction for Ebenezer Academy is now complete. Two classroom blocks, each with three classrooms, are filled with eager students. The school grounds, clean water well, restrooms, and security wall have all been completed, creating a safe and welcoming environment where children can learn and thrive. The overwhelming demand for education in Dzaleka Refugee Camp has already pushed us into Phase Two of the project. As enrollment continues to grow, we are working to construct additional classrooms and provide the desks needed to accommodate more students. Expanding the school will ensure that even more refugee children have access to a quality education and the hope it brings for a brighter future. You can help make this next phase possible by raising awareness of this need, praying for the students, teachers, and construction team, and giving financially to support the expansion of Ebenezer Academy and the educational needs of children in Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

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