Little Sisters of St. Francis is Expanding Learning Opportunities for All Children in Zambia’s Ibex

In Zambia, the education landscape is evolving, with catholic sisters´ run schools playing a pivotal role in meeting the burgeoning demand for education. Despite these efforts, Zambia’s education system grapples with formidable challenges. The nation’s growing population has intensified the need for primary education, stretching the limits of state infrastructure beyond capacity. According to USAID, while Zambia has made notable strides in expanding education access, boasting a primary school enrolment rate of 81.8 percent, there are still persistent issues such as poor learning outcomes and regional disparities. Another report by USAID on the education status in Zambia points out that inadequate resources, substandard education service delivery, and low rates of secondary school progression continue to hinder the education system’s effectiveness.

Opportunity EduFinace points to the COVID-19 pandemic as having compounded these challenges, resulting in several months of learning loss and exacerbating existing disparities. As Zambia navigates these complex educational hurdles, it is imperative to address the systemic issues hindering progress and ensure that every child has access to quality education, regardless of socioeconomic background or geographical location. Nestled in Lusaka’s Ibex area, the Maramba Sisters Convent School is responding to this need. Established in 2022 by the Little Sisters of St. Francis, this social enterprise embodies their commitment to serving the vulnerable. Following receipt of a seed grant in 2022 from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation through Strathmore University Business School in partnership with the Association of Consecrated Women of Eastern and Southern Africa (ACWECA), the school opened its doors in February 2024, offering transformative education and services to children aged six months to five years. The school’s mission resonates deeply with the charism of the Little Sisters of St. Francis – contemplation of the poor, humble, crucified Christ manifested in the vulnerable and marginalized of our society.

By offering holistic education at affordable rates, the school embodies the vision of its founder, Rt. Rev Bishop Timothy Phelim O’Shea, who believed in empowering through education. The goal of the venture is to nurture responsible, mature individuals who uphold values of integrity and compassion. The objectives are ambitious: to promote holistic education in a conducive environment, support sustainable projects to expand the school’s reach, sustain operations through tuition and fundraising, enhance Sisters’ livelihoods and expertise, and support mission work in remote areas. Little Sisters of Sr. Francis participated in the Sisters’ Blended Value Project (SBVP) training in 2023. They have successfully applied the lessons learned to ensure a sustainable social enterprise.

According to Sr. Therese Nyoni, who attended the Leading and Managing Sustainable Social Enterprises training last year, their congregation faced many challenges before joining the SBVP programme. “We lacked adequate skills in record-keeping and marketing. We could not hire anyone to start and run our social enterprise. However, after SBVP training, we have improved, and there has been an increased demand for admissions in our school,” stated Sr. Therese. The grant from Strathmore University Business School facilitated various aspects of the school’s development, including procurement of equipment and materials, branding, marketing efforts, utility payments, and school registration with the government Ministry of Education.

At the heart of SBVP lies the principle of sustainability of social enterprises, which has been a guiding language for the SBVP participants. Sr. Eunice Mulenga of the Little Sisters of St. Francis notes that they have ensured the lasting impact of their efforts and that they “have established robust structures within their congregation to ensure the sustainability of their Maramba Sisters Convent School.” This includes oversight by the Superior General, qualified personnel who have been tasked with managing accounts and operations, and an onsite management team dedicated to maintaining smooth operations and ensuring financial stability has been put in place.

The Maramba Sisters Convent School exemplifies transformative education, recognizing that education imparts knowledge and shapes life outcomes. The Little Sisters of St. Francis—Zambia forge for a brighter future and are doing it in style—providing affordable and quality education to the community.