Project No. 02/2026 –
Completion of a Block of School Classrooms
at the St. Bernardine of Siena Community
(Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia)
The Conventual Franciscan Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia has proposed Social-Pastoral Project No.02/2026, entitled, “Project Proposal for the Completion of a Block of School Classrooms at the St. Bernardine of Siena Community,” aimed at completing the school facilities of the St. Bernardine of Siena Community School, located in the city of Kapiri Mposhi, in the Diocese of Ndola, Zambia.
The Parish of St. Bernardine of Siena is located in Kapiri Mposhi, approximately 200 km [124 mi.] north of Lusaka, in Zambia’s Central Province. The town occupies a strategic position as an important transportation and economic hub, being the terminus of the TAZARA railway linking Zambia to the port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The district lies on a plateau approximately 1,300 meters [4,265 feet] above sea level and is a gateway to the Copperbelt region.
According to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (2022), the district has an estimated population of over 370,000, with an annual growth rate of 4%, placing increasing pressure on social services, particularly school infrastructure. From a socio-economic perspective, Kapiri Mposhi is a semi-urban area where the population relies primarily on subsistence agriculture, especially maize cultivation and livestock farming.
The St. Bernardine of Siena Community School is located in the Kawama area, a growing settlement largely inhabited by the Swaka people. The area is characterized by steady population growth, expanding settlements, and the development of agricultural activities―all of which are driving a rising demand for adequate and accessible school facilities.
Although the government’s free education policy has expanded access to education, it has also led to significant overcrowding in public schools, negatively impacting the quality of education. The nearest public school, Hilltop School, located approximately 1.5 km [1 mi.] away, is already severely overcrowded.
In response to this situation, the parishioners of the Church of St. Bernardine of Siena founded a community school to ensure that children have access to education in a safe and supportive environment. Due to limited infrastructure, classes were initially held in temporary spaces within the church and, as enrollment increased, also outdoors, exposing students to the weather and causing frequent disruptions to learning.
At the same time, the Franciscan presence in Kapiri Mposhi has been steadily expanding, with increasing pastoral and social commitments. The school represents a natural extension of this development and will be the first institution in the district to offer education inspired by Franciscan values, grounded in human dignity, inclusion, peace, and care for the most vulnerable. Currently, it is the only school serving the parish population of approximately 4,000.
The completion of the school building is therefore urgently needed to address growing enrollment and improve learning conditions. The project involves the completion of a three-classroom block with an adjacent office. Construction has already reached the beam level, and the main structural work has been completed.
The remaining work includes roofing, installation of doors and windows, plastering, painting, flooring, electrical and plumbing systems, and landscaping of the surrounding area.
The school currently requests a nominal tuition contribution of approximately €12 to support teachers’ allowances. Once the facility is completed, a scaled tuition system is planned, under which families who have the means will contribute to school expenses, while the most vulnerable students will be supported through exemptions and other forms of assistance. Furthermore, the school intends to obtain official government recognition in order to access state support for teachers’ salaries, thus strengthening its long-term economic sustainability.
The local community has already made a substantial contribution to the project, actively taking part in construction from laying the foundations, to completing the walls in preparation for the roof installation, with an estimated value of around €8,600, or about 30% of the total cost.
This contribution demonstrates the community’s strong sense of responsibility, participation, and collaboration in bringing the project to completion.
Project Information
- Conventual Franciscan Jurisdiction: Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia
- Country: Zambia
- Diocese: Ndola
- Location: Kapiri Mposhi
- Type of Project: Social-pastoral project
- Date of Proposal: 2026
- Direct Project Coordinator:
- Friar Luke CHILAMBWE
- Email: ofmconvzm@gmail.com
- Total Project Cost: €28,400.00
- Local Contributions (from the local community)
- €8,600.00
- Contributions from Benefactors::
- Camposampiero Helping Hand Association €12,268.00
- Rustega Missionary Group (Italian Province of Padua) €7,532.00 (yet to be sent)
- Total Contributions Collected: €20,868.00
- Total to Be Received: €7,532.00
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