Our Moon

In March 2019, we formally acquired some land from Chief Liteta, our local Chief and have been in the process of developing it since then. The land is arranged into sections, with staff huts around the perimeter for added security. Our students stay in the Student Village section which contains four thatched-roofed huts to accommodate three to six students in each. There are separate bathrooms and a small shelter for gatherings. Staff also stay on site to ensure security and provide care for the students. The village is walled with a lockable gate.

We have also built a dining area which includes a fully functioning kitchen, storage, water supply from a bore hole with solar pump, dining space, office and accommodation.

Our next major project is to build the learning forum. This will contain our classrooms and computer suite. We are currently using one of our student accommodation buildings as a classroom and library until we can complete the forum.

This comprises the David and Demi Mann Learning Forum. It is a multi-purpose teaching and learning space, containing a small library, IT room, small and large classrooms. The central square incorporates an amphitheatre and stage for performance, debate and lectures.

Students stay in purpose-built, thatch-roofed huts with two to four students sharing a hut.

Zoe Mebude-Steves, class of 2019

We encourage our students to identify problems in the community and to set up long term projects to solve those problems. They also volunteer within the community. Naturally, most scholars tutor other children within our community and from visiting NGOs, such as Kucetekela Foundation. They will, however, also work on environmental issues, including waste management, tree planting, and planting of crops both on Our Moon’s land and within the vicinity. It is long-term involvement so that everyone benefits.

Ntasuwila Nambao Mushitu

It is just as important to us that the people who work at Our Moon feel as supported and able to develop as our students. We employ a number of people including those who help with cooking, maintenance, security as well as tutors and a social worker. We provide them with a small home, a salary, education for their children, and food. We also develop their skills.

Take Sanky. Sanky is the cook to our students. This is a new role to him as last year he was the students’ house parent. But we discovered that not only does he love cooking, but he is also very good at it. Sanky says

Sanky

Some of our workers’ children are not in school or they feel they are not learning. Under the overall guidance of Iwell Banda, our students help to tutor the children, teaching them English (reading, writing and speaking), basic maths, and science. The children also get involved in agricultural and horticultural projects. Ultimately, we hope the children will eventually be able to transition into mainstream school, with continued extension lessons from our after school club. We call this the New Moon Children’s College.