The preschool is located in a developing area where many houses are being built.

The houses under construction are usually looked after by caretakers while the owners live elsewhere. Houses are usually under construction for several years due to lack of funds. It is a necessity to have a caretaker (watchman) on the construction site to prevent theft of materials or illegal sale of the plot, or building up of the plot by someone else, or perhaps making a road through the plot. These caretakers often live there with their families and when the house is completed and the owner moves in, they sometimes stay on and work for the owner as caretakers or gardeners...

It is normal for both these caretakers and workers to live in one or two rooms on the site, fetching water in buckets and cooking outside on charcoal. Electricity on site is rarely available when a generator is brought in, for example when welding is needed.

These people have very low incomes, so it is often a problem for them to send their children to school. Although public schools have been free for some years now, they still have to pay for uniform and school supplies, which can be a barrier for some parents. Moreover, there is no public school in the area. Private schools charge tuition fees, just like elsewhere in the world.

Private schools/preschools in Zambia tend to be of much higher quality than public schools, so parents prefer private schools/preschools if they can afford them financially. These schools/preschools receive no support from the government - they have to earn their own income and pay taxes. That is why tuition fees vary according to the quality of teachers, facilities and other services offered by the school. Some of the lowest fees are around K1500 (about CZK 2500 or $100) per trimester (four months) per pupil. More expensive private schools charge K4000 (CZK 6000 or $250) to K8000 ( CZK 12000 or $500) per trimester per pupil. For international school/preschool, tuition amounts are in the thousands of dollars.

Teacher salaries in Zambia are at a very low level compared to developed countries. Salaries for teachers in urban areas start around K2000 (CZK 3000 or $120) per month, but can be even lower.

Our partner preschool strives to support parents who cannot afford to pay the full amount of school fees so that their children can get a quality education as well. For this reason, we want to offer financial support to some children. On the other hand, the preschool will require parents to be actively involved in the running of the preschool, such as cooking, cleaning the classrooms or taking care of the school playground. At the same time, it is very important to us that the education the preschool provides is of a high standard.

The unreduced cost of tuition at our partner preschool is K2000 (CZK 3000 or $120) K600 (CZK 720 or $30) per trimester (4 months) per child ($8 per 1 month).

Please read the Update: February 2023 about the tuitions and the current situation bellow.