William Masetlha Foundation

Zambia

Founded in 1995, the William Mmutle Masetlha Foundation (WMMF) is an organization that supports education and vocational training initiatives in Zambia. Its parent organization, the Masetlha Institute, was founded in 1983 and offers community-based education in areas including literacy, health, and spirituality. One of the WMMF's initiatives, the Banani International Secondary School, is a highly-regarded school for girls specializing in science and agriculture.

Katuyola is a group of villages in the North Western Region of Zambia, a rural and remote part of the country with limited access to material resources, and predominantly comprised of subsistence farmers with modest family incomes. The widespread lack of educational infrastructure across the region compounds the challenges, hindering the area's economic progress.

The absence of a secondary school within Katuyola presents a multitude of obstacles for its residents. Upon completing ninth grade locally, students are left with only one recourse: relocating to Mwinilunga, a nearby town. Financial constraints further exacerbate the situation, impeding students' pursuit of higher education and jeopardizing their prospects for completing their studies. This burden is particularly acute for girls, who confront additional cultural barriers, rendering them more vulnerable and often unable to continue their schooling.

In response to these pressing needs, community-driven initiatives in Katuyola have emerged, culminating in plans to establish a local high school. This endeavor aims to bolster educational access, alleviate financial burdens, and anchor the youth within their own community.

The partnership between Pebbles to Pearls and WWMF is pivotal in realizing this vision, as they collaborate on the construction of essential infrastructure for the school. This includes the provision of three classrooms, administrative offices, and housing for teachers. Through these concerted efforts, Katuyola endeavors to transform its educational landscape and empower its youth for a brighter future.

Stay tuned for more updates as construction progresses in 2024!