New School in Tanzania: Educational Opportunities for Up to 370 Children
Construction of a new primary school has begun in Chiwonda, Tanzania. The joint project by Lufthansa City Center, help alliance and FLY & HELP aims to improve access to education for children in the region. The first classrooms could be ready for use as early as spring 2027.
Seven Kilometres to the Nearest School
For many children in Chiwonda, a sub-village of Chimbuko in Tanzania’s Tandahimba district, the journey to school is a major challenge. The nearest primary school is around seven kilometres away. Of the 178 school-aged children in the village, only 78 currently attend classes regularly. The new school aims to shorten these journeys and make regular school attendance possible for more children.
The community has been hoping for its own school for several years. Several years ago, the community began constructing two classrooms, but a lack of funding meant that the buildings could not be completed.
Now, with the support of three project partners and two local organisations, construction is moving forward again.
First Classrooms Could Be Ready in 2027
During the first phase of construction, the two unfinished classrooms will be completed, alongside an additional classroom and a teachers’ room. Sanitary facilities and a rainwater collection system are also planned. The first construction phase is expected to be completed by February 2027, allowing the first children to begin attending classes at the new school as early as spring.
By 2029, the school is expected to expand gradually to include eight classrooms, providing space for up to 370 children. Additional facilities will include further sanitary facilities, teachers’ rooms, accommodation for teachers, a basic school kitchen and classroom furniture. The aim is to create a reliable learning environment for children from Chiwonda and the surrounding communities.
Creating Educational Opportunities Together
The joint initiative was launched by Lufthansa City Center to mark its 35th anniversary. The company is mobilising its network of travel agencies, employees and partners to support the project. The Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY & HELP is responsible for planning and implementing the construction work together with local organisations. help alliance provides the donation platform and supports the project through assessments, monitoring and transparent reporting.
Volunteer project manager Nina Koehler, who works as a Programme and Transformation Manager at Lufthansa City Center, explains:
“Education opens up opportunities and creates new perspectives for children. That is why this school project is particularly close to my heart. It is especially rewarding to see how an initial idea, through the joint commitment of so many people, is gradually becoming a school that can make a lasting difference in the lives of these children.”
With every phase of construction, the project moves closer to its goal of enabling children in the region to attend school regularly and opening up new opportunities for their future.
Learn more about the project: New School in Chiwonda, Tanzania
