Njili Community School From Rural Classroom to Rural Enterprise

Mpongwe District, Copperbelt Province

Njili Community School, nestled in the heart of Mpongwe District, has become a shining example of how innovation, community spirit, and the right support can transform a rural school into a thriving hub of education and enterprise.

This transformation began after training from Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) through the School Readiness Initiative, funded by the Roger Federer Foundation. Inspired by the training, the school ventured into a variety of income-generating activities and the results have been remarkable.

The school started with poultry farming, beginning with 11 chickens, each laying over 8 eggs. Today, the poultry house boasts about 50 birds, producing fresh eggs that feed learners and generate income. Alongside this, the school planted 34 pine trees, a long-term investment for timber that will be harvested in ten years. They also established a vegetable garden, ensuring access to fresh, healthy produce for the school and community.

One of Njili’s proudest achievements is its school bakery. More than just a bread shop, the bakery produces soft, flavorful buns enriched with locally sourced ingredients like sweet potatoes and pumpkins. The unique taste and quality have attracted a steady stream of customers from surrounding communities. Funds from the bakery sales are reinvested into the school’s infrastructure including the construction of a 1x3 classroom block with active support from community members.

The bakery’s success has also put Njili on the map. Their innovative approach earned them 1st place at the Zonal Education Expo , 1st place at the District Expo, 1st place at the Provincial Show, and an invitation to showcase their work at the 97th National Agricultural and Commercial Show in Lusaka a national stage for their achievements.

Through this exposure, the school plans to expand its business, reaching more markets. In the words of the Head Teacher:

“We want to expand this business because we are set up in a rural area and no one is doing this. We are feeding about five schools and the communities around us. With our poultry producing eggs, we plan to open a tuck shop to sell these products and continue to grow.”

Njili Community School’s journey shows how rural schools, when empowered with the right skills and vision, can go beyond education to become engines of economic growth and community transformation.