APU
Malawi is a small, landlocked nation in Sub-Saharan Africa with a population of 16.3 million citizens. Only 62.7 percent of the total population is literate; 76.1 percent of men can read and write as opposed to only 49.8 percent of women. While many children can get an elementary education because primary schooling is free, schooling attainment falls considerably among adolescents. Atsikana Pa Ulendo (APU) is a girls’ secondary school located 19 miles west of Lilongwe that is addressing the gender gap by providing quality education in a rural community and offering scholarships to students who otherwise could not afford to attend. Currently, the school’s three classroom blocks allow for a capacity of 360 students. APU and Circle of Women will build a fourth classroom block in order to expand the student capacity to 480 students by 2017.
For more information about the APU Project, please contact apumanagement@circleofwomen.org.
Latest Updates: Project Blog
Introduction to Project APU
Malawi is a small, landlocked nation in Sub-Saharan Africa with a population of 16.3 million citizens. Known for its dense population and poor economy, Malawi is among the top 10 countries with the highest rates of HIV/AIDS. The life expectancy is barely more than 50 years, and most people live on only a few dollars a [...]
LocationNsaru, Malawi
Area OverviewOnly 62.7 percent of the total population is literate; 76.1 percent of men can read and write as opposed to only 49.8 percent of women. With the 14th highest fertility rate in the world of 5.35 children born per woman, education is often pushed aside to meet the responsibilities of child-bearing and child-rearing.
Project TeamHarvard
Particular NeedExpansion of facilities to accommodate more students
Customized Solution APU (Atsikana Pa Ulendo) and CoW propose to build a fourth classroom block in order to expand the student capacity by 120 students for a total of 480. By phasing in an extra 40 students each year, APU will reach full capacity at 480 students by 2017.
Sustainability PlanIn progress.
Enrollment360
PartnersMemory Mdyetseni and Christie Johnson of Malawi Education Foundation (MEF)
Project StatusProposed groundbreaking for October 2012
Still NeedsTBD