Mtenthera, Malawi
Ground Break, March 2026
We’re excited to announce that the school in Mtenthera, Malawi has just begun it’s build!
Mtenthera is a community where children have struggled to access the educational resources they deserve for many years. While a provisional classroom block was built, the environmental conditions inside meant it could not be recognised as an official school by the Malawian Ministry of Education. As a result, students still travel several miles each day to attend classes elsewhere.
This long and demanding journey has caused many children to drop out or miss out on schooling altogether. The construction of a recognised school through this project will change that reality - bringing education closer to home for Mtenthera’s youngest learners and opening the door to greater opportunity.
About MTENTHERA, 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 Mtenthera, 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 the 100 Schools Project and our collaboration with buildOn essential for empowering these communities and fostering sustainable development.
THE GROUND-BREAK CEREMONY
At the groundbreaking ceremony, the story of Oli was shared with the community to honour his memory - you can watch the video below.
MEET Andrew Koumpa
Andrew Koumpa (pictured above) is the father of five children, all of whom he has worked hard to keep enrolled in school despite the ongoing challenge that Mtenthera does not have an official school. Throughout their educational journey, his children have been required to commute long distances to attend classes, garnering him a unique perspective on why Mtenthera needs a school. He explains, “The main reason that we want a school here is because our children are attending schools that are a long distance from here. Many of them cannot begin school at the appropriate time, and many others drop out.”
For Andrew, the impact of having a local school would be immediate and transformative. “This new school will help us to reduce their commuting distance as we will have a school in our proper community,” he says. Committed to being part of the solution, he adds, “I am going to help build the new school block because I want my children to be able to learn in our home community.”
The Build Gallery
Full photo gallery to come as the build progresses!
