Hundreds of children in Wataka Village, Machinga, will no longer attend classes under trees following the completion of a modern school built by musician patience Namadingo. The project, worth K169.7 million, has provided the community with fully furnished and electrified classrooms, changing the face of education in the area.
The initiative started on May 6, 2025, after Namadingo promised to construct a school block with two classrooms for local learners who were struggling to learn in open spaces. At that time, the children were learning under trees, which made it difficult during the rainy season or when the sun was too hot.
Initially, the construction was estimated to cost K106 million, but through careful planning, transparency, and community involvement, the team completed the project with only K68 million, According to Namadingo, the success was possible because the youth and villagers worked hand in hand, reducing costs and ensuring accountability throughout the process.
The achievement attracted additional financial support from other well-wishers. Hinton Eneya Banda donated K10 million, while Henry Dyton Mkunyu, a Malawian based in the United States, contributed *K27 million* to build another classroom block. The extra funding expanded the project beyond its original plan, allowing for more space and improved facilities for learners.
Namadingo later went further by constructing a modern office block for teachers, who previously had no proper offices and worked under trees. The new building includes offices for the head teacher and deputy, a staff room that can accommodate 16 teachers, a storeroom for school materials, a learner treatment room, and one additional classroom.
With more support from the community and partners, the total value of the project rose to K169.7 million. Despite the size of the work, the project was completed in just *three months*, and the structures were fully plastered, painted, and fitted with electricity. The school now stands as a sign of unity, transparency, and teamwork.
To further improve learning conditions, Namadingo helped connect the school to ESCOM electricity, making it possible for learners, especially those in Standard 8, to study in the evenings as they prepare for their national examinations. For many students, it was the first time they could read under proper lighting in their own school.
In addition to the new buildings, the learning environment has been made more attractive and inspiring through the “Happy Classroom” initiative by **Bongo Worldwide and Baraka Charity. The two organizations decorated the classrooms with colorful paintings, educational murals, and motivational messages to encourage learners and make studying more enjoyable.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Chief Wataka expressed deep gratitude to Namadingo for bringing lasting change to the area. “I don’t even know where to start,” the chief said emotionally. “Looking at your age and the work you have done here, it is amazing. You have truly changed our story.”
In his remarks, Namadingo thanked the community for their cooperation and commitment throughout the construction process. He said the project had taught him an important lesson about teamwork and transparency.
“When people work together tirelessly, united and transparently, they can do something wonderful. That is the biggest lesson I have learned from this project,” said Namadingo.
The Wataka Village school project is now seen as a model of what can be achieved through honesty, collaboration, and dedication. It has not only provided better learning facilities but has also restored hope and pride among community members.
As the first group of learners move into the new classrooms, residents believe the development will inspire other villages to work together and invest in education for a better future.
