Muchelenje Development Project
In January of 2008 during a trip to Southern Africa Seth Price and his brother found themselves stranded, welcomed and adopted into the small village of Kalonje. During their stay they spent time at the local school, met with students and teachers, and were shocked at the poor conditions in which these students were expected to learn. Upon his return to the States and keeping in close contact with Wonder Nyirenda, the Muchelenje Development Project (MDP) was born.
Though the needs of the village are many the project’s primary goals are:
1. To provide basic school and educational supplies
2. Address school infrastructure, sanitation and health concerns
3. Establish exchanges: educational, artistic and cultural with schools, churches, and other organisations.
The MDP are keen to develop as many ties as possible as there is so much work that needs doing in both the school and the village.
Outlook came across this project by chance while visiting Mutinondo Wilderness Lodge during a recce in 2008. This grassroots project is ideal for any schools wishing to directly link up with a school in Zambia, Africa.
For this year’s project Outlook at MDP have pooled resources to build new latrines/toilets for the staff and pupils of Muchelenje Basic School which will help towards improving the standards of health and sanitation for all. There will also be plenty of opportunity to interact with the local community and learn about the culture and traditions.
Kalonje is a small village, on the great north road near the Kalonje Railway Station about an hour south of Mpika. People survive mainly from subsidence farming and due to its isolation there is very poor infrastructure. As well as the Mutinondo Wilderness which is only 25km away there are the Nachikufu caves close by which have some great examples of ancient bushmen paintins.