How did Twitti School Begin?
AN AMAZING STORY FOR YOU TO ENJOY!
A few years have passed, however, Friends and Family continue to mourn the loss of Mr.and Mrs.Maonde, the Founders of Twitti School. Their story is still remembered fondly in Canada and in Zambia. It is shared briefly below, and in more detail on the page entitled: Tributes - Simon and Lydia
When Lydia and Simon Maonde, Zambian teachers, now deceased, retired after long careers in Education, they began a new life as farmers in the Lilayi community near Lusaka, Zambia's capital. The very young children of the farm workers needed a school close to home to avoid long walks on a busy road, and so, in 1994, Mrs. Maonde began to teach 5 pre-schoolers in the Maonde home. Parents/guardians soon brought others, having heard how well the children were being taught. The Maonde sons and daughter had grown and moved on with their lives, leaving their small bedrooms which became the classrooms in the house.
By 2005 there were about 200 children coming each day, in morning and afternoon shifts, to be pupils at this new Twitti School. The name Twitti is from the word for 'the smallest twig', a symbol for these tiny children who were becoming part of the great tree of education. When this 'school in the house' was reaching its physical limits, an amazing re-connection occurred. Through an interesting chain of events, Mr. and Mrs. Maonde began to correspond with Canadian teachers who had worked with them at Namwala Secondary School in Southern Province more than thirty-five years earlier. Mr. Maonde requested their help in financing the construction of a 'real' school.
Former CUSO volunteer teachers, Shelley O'Callaghan in British Columbia, and Patricia Ellsworth in New Brunswick, committed their help to their former Headmaster and his wife in building a school, an enduring legacy for the Lilayi community. In 2006 the Friends For Zambia Society, a Canadian NGO, was established and fund-raising began. The first 4-classroom building was in use by 2009, and each year more facilities were added. With a Grand Opening In July 2012 Twitti Primary School became a "real school" on a beautiful campus. You are invited to join with the children of Twitti, like those in the Grade 6 class pictured above, the teachers, the parents and the whole community to explore life at Twitti Primary School as you explore the Friends for Zambia website.
Twitti School Partner Chilanga Cement
Chilanga Cement and Twitti Community School - The strong Partnership continues in 2025
After an initial connection made in 2007, Chilanga Cement (formerly Lafarge) offered to provide, without cost, all the cement needed to construct the school. Their contribution made it possible to build this beautiful campus for the benefit of the children of the Lilayi and Chilanga area.
Social Responsibility
A strong community statement from Chilanga Cement (formerly Lafarge): "When our communities start to prosper because of our involvement and the Lafarge name becomes synonymous with constant unwavering commitment, then we are on our way to one of our greatest growth objectives: Building a better Zambia.