Pestalozzi African Children's Village and Educational Farm (PACVEF) at Ibex Hill, Lusaka, Zambia

Update March 2009

A long-held dream now becoming a reality, PACVEF is designed to provide an attractive, secure environment for up to 280 disadvantaged children selected from rural areas for their academic and leadership potential. They will live at the Village during school terms, attending local schools and learning practical skills, with a focus on sustainable agricultural methods. The existing Pestalozzi Centre at Kasisi acts as a foundation centre for up to 80 new children aged 10-11 who will receive in-house teaching for the first two years.

The Village started operating on the two sites in January 2009 with 55 children at Kasisi and 46 children at Ibex Hill. The Ibex Hill children attend four local schools and receive supplementary teaching in English and Maths as well as training in agriculture and computer skills (taught mainly by alumni). Because of the limited capacity and resources at local schools, PestalozziWorld is planning to set up its own educational centre in the area, which would include a teacher-training unit.

We plan to involve all the children in income-generating enterprises - agricultural and other skills-related projects, for example growing food and rearing livestock for their own consumption and for sale. As at Kasisi, they will each have their own plot to cultivate and learn modern organic farming techniques which they can take back to their home communities.

PACVEF will provide employment for a number of local staff and opportunities for both local and international volunteers, including our own alumni. The Kasisi Centre has greatly benefited from both short and long-term volunteer assistance, especially in teaching English and other skills, and we recently welcomed as a volunteer the son of one of our US Directors.

Progress and Future Plans

Construction started in December 2007 and the first phase, comprising the Junior Houses and basic infrastructure (kitchens, washrooms drainage and electricity), was completed and handed over in December 2008. Work has now started on Phase 2 - the Senior Houses and remaining infrastructure - and most of this work should be completed by August 2009.

We expect PACVEF to become as far as possible self-sustaining through the use of alternative energy sources including solar power and we are currently looking into installing a bio-gas converter and waste disposal system. PestalozziWorld has also provided a tile-making machine, which will be used to make roof-tiles commercially when the building work is complete.

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