Mbonekera, Malawi
Ground Break, April 2025
Completion, September 2025
We’re excited to announce that our school in Mbonekera, Malawi has completed it’s build and will be providing vital education to 268 students!
Thank you to Brett, Miranda, Ella, Jake & Max Tollman for sponsoring this school. We’re so grateful for your generosity.
This is our 27th school in our 100 Schools Project.
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.
Groundbreak Ceremony
Oliver’s impact was deeply felt as his story was shared with the community. Watch the speech honouring Oli and the generous family that made this school possible below.
Meet MONICA MATIAS
Monica Matias (pictured above), a 27-year-old farmer with two children enrolled at Mbonekera, shared her excitement: "This new block has given us confidence that our children will go far with their education. I dream of seeing my children reach university and become doctors. As parents, we are motivated to keep sending our children to school because we see that their future is now brighter." The new school block at Mbonekera has done more than improve facilities; it has lifted the community’s spirit. With higher enrollment, stronger attendance, and renewed optimism, Mbonekera now stands as a shining example of how partnership, perseverance, and community effort can transform education for generations to come.
the build gallery
