New building expands educational opportunities for Lighthouse students
Zambia+Education+Lighthouse Christian School Emily Evans
The new library at Lighthouse is the first and only lending library for children in Ndola.
In January of this year, Lighthouse Christian School hosted the Official Opening of a brand new facility named in honor of Wilbroad Chanda, who founded Lighthouse with his wife Zicky in 2005 but passed away unexpectedly in 2021. Featuring computer and science labs, a large multipurpose hall, and a library, the Wilbroad Chanda Center for Education is well-equipped to serve Lighthouse students for decades to come.
No other lending libraries exist for children growing up in Ndola, and most of the children in our program do not have books in their homes. Many are being raised by guardians who are themselves illiterate. But now, for the first time, our students have access to hundreds of books at their fingertips, opening up a whole new world of learning and discovery.
Director Zicky Chanda is pictured with the teachers at Lighthouse.
Lighthouse Director Zicky Chanda said, “The new building has a very modern and spacious design which will allow us to serve even more students and expand our academic offerings. Both our students and staff are very excited to have such a wonderful facility to call their own. To God be the glory!”
During the Official Opening, Covenant Mercies Executive Director Doug Hayes spoke to the students in attendance about the importance of their education. “Children, we are sowing into your lives so that you will have an education and so that you will have a good future. We’re also sowing into your life so that you would know Jesus Christ and worship him as your Lord. We pray that everything you give yourselves to in the future will be for the worship and glory of his name.”
Mr. Felix Ngoma from the Zambia Ministry of Education attended the event and was included in the ribbon cutting ceremony. Other highlights included a presentation and cultural dance performed by Lighthouse students, speeches by two Mapalo scholarship recipients, and guided tours of the new facility.
Several of our Zambian Mapalo scholars were in attendance at the Official Opening, pictured here with Doug Hayes and David Mayinja.
“We are so thankful to the donors who contributed to this building project,” said Mr. Hayes. “As we seek to provide a quality Christian education to over 300 sponsored students at Lighthouse, this new building stands ready to make a positive impact in the lives of hundreds of Zambian children for many years to come.”
(See additional photos from the Official Opening below.)
