Johnson Nkosi Primary School

At the newly founded Mpoma Community HIV/AIDS Initiative’s first meetings, it was agreed that the highest concern for the members was their children’s education. Many of these children were not attending public primary school because they were too weak to access the distant schools. Those children who were able to get to those schools could not cope with the stigma and discrimination in the public schools because of their association with HIV/AIDS.

With donated funds and land from the members themselves and well-wishers, the Initiative spearheaded the construction of a simple building to house a daycare centre for their children, which later evolved into the Johnson Nkosi Memorial Primary School. The school is now an impressive collection of classrooms, dormitories, demonstration gardens, and play space for children of the community.

The students at the Nkosi School number approximately 350 children ranging from 3 to 17 years old. Of these, a third are orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). These OVCs attend Nkosi free of charge and are provided with uniforms and materials, room and board if required, and a safe environment by school supporters and staff. The other students are required to pay school fees amounting to approximately one third of the school budget .

Nkosi is among the best performing schools in the region and the top girls in the primary leaving examinations in the last two years were from Nkosi School. 

KLC goal is to help Johnson Nkosi school achieve 100% self sufficiency in the near future.