Mbonekera, Malawi

Ground Break, April 2025

We’re excited to announce that our school in Mbonekera, Malawi has completed it’s groundbreak and will be providing vital education to 250 students (100 boys and 150 girls)!

Thank you to the Tollman family for sponsoring this school. We’re so grateful for your generosity.

This is our 27th school in our 100 Schools Project - with 3 more upcoming builds so keep your eyes peeled.

About Mbonekera, Malawi

Malawi, often referred to as "The Warm Heart of Africa," is renowned for its friendly people, rich cultural heritage, and stunning landscapes, including the expansive Lake Malawi. Despite these attractions, the nation faces significant educational and economic challenges. As of 2022, the adult literacy rate is approximately 68.6%, meaning nearly 31% of adults are unable to read and write. Poverty is widespread, with about 71% of the population living in extreme poverty.

These issues are particularly acute in remote rural communities like Mbonekera, where buildOn is actively involved. In such areas, illiteracy rates are higher, and educational opportunities are limited. Most residents are subsistence farmers, cultivating crops like soybeans, groundnuts, corn, and tobacco, and raising livestock. The reliance on rain-fed agriculture makes them vulnerable to climate variability, further exacerbating economic hardships. Limited access to quality education perpetuates the cycle of poverty, making initiatives like ours essential for empowering these communities and fostering sustainable development.

Mbonekera Primary School is facing a severe shortage of classrooms, making it difficult to accommodate all its students. Currently, the school can only provide education for students in grades one through five, with just one permanent building serving the entire student population. Due to this lack of space, the majority of students are to learning in temporary structures or in open-air environments. The situation is further worsened by the fact that the existing permanent classroom is poorly furnished, resulting in students sitting on the ground during lessons.

These conditions make it challenging for students to focus and fully engage in their education, affecting academic performance and discouraging attendance and participation. Mbonekera's residents are looking forward to addressing this issue through the construction of additional classrooms and equipping them with adequate furniture. With this, they hope to create a more conducive learning environment for Mbonekera’s students.

the build gallery