Bishop Peter Adrian Chifukwa, Diocese of Dedza, plans to buy the so-called Saw Mill area here. The site consists of the Dedza Saw Mill with administrative offices, workshops, briquetting plant, wet mill factory, dry mill plant, boilers, kiln hall, wood spraying hall, furniture factory and 20 houses for teachers and trainees.
The total floor area of all facilities is 10038 square meters. The financing (approx. 330000 euros) is currently being secured. At the same time, a requirements plan for an (inclusive!) vocational training center for young people was drawn up. In addition to crafts and agriculture (storage, seeds, pest control, permaculture, digitalization), important topics include green jobs and media design.
There are plans to build two schools here.
- A secondary boarding school for girls. The diocese of Dedza is known for its good (private) secondary schools. The bishop’s plan is that deaf girls should also be able to attend this school. In principle, they do not have to pay school fees. Their costs are financed from the school fees of the other girls with wealthier parents.
- A technical school / Vocational Training Center. Courses are offered here at various levels: Primary school leavers, school dropouts, secondary school leavers, especially for children with disabilities and disadvantages. The part of the site with the largest number of buildings is designated for this purpose. Some courses can start almost immediately in these buildings. For example, there is a large car workshop with an office and three grease pits that can be used immediately for the profession of car mechanic. All of this is being done in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and TEVETA.
A project plan for the two schools is currently being drawn up.
The Rotary Club of Lilongwe (there is an active group for vocational training here) has invited Bishop Chifukwa to present the project at the club meeting and at the University of Luanar for Agriculture on 13.11.2023.
