What We Do
Building a better future through education and community empowerment
Our Education Programs
Comfort Community Secondary School (CCSS) is a community initiative responding to the growing number of children who do not have access to education in Dzaleka refugee camp or the surrounding areas and are also at risk of early childhood marriage.
CCSS was established in 2017 through the efforts of CC and Pascal Bagaluza, one of the refugees residing in Dzaleka who grew concerned for the growing number of children who were not attending school due to lack of options.
Supported by Dzaleka community leaders and pastors, CC currently provides education activities following the Malawian national syllabus in the form of:
- Nursery school (3 classes)
- Primary school (8 classes; G1 to G8)
- Secondary school (Form 1, 2, and 3 students)
Our Objectives
Main Objective
Child protection through the provision of a safe space for children living in the Dzaleka refugee camp and the surrounding areas to access high-quality education.
Inclusive Education
Ensure and encourage the participation of children with disabilities, orphans, and those vulnerable to early childhood marriage.
End Early Marriage
Work to end early childhood marriage through education and empowerment.
Teacher Development
Teacher training and capacity building to ensure quality education.
Student Empowerment
Help students become self-sufficient, critical thinkers, and independent learners.
Our Strategies
Daily Education
Daily education in classroom settings following the Malawian national syllabus.
Parent Engagement
Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with parents through regular parent-teacher conference meetings.
Quality Standards
Punctuality, preparedness, and discipline to ensure effective learning.
Teacher Development
Arrange for teachers to attend other schools and invite experienced persons to build staff capacity.
Current Status
Students Enrolled
344 females, 229 males - with increasing demand from parents in the community.
Direct Beneficiaries
Indirect Beneficiaries
600 households
Building Our Future
CCSS has been renting rooms at the St. Steven Roman Catholic Church in Dzaleka refugee camp, but due to the growing number of students, we need to build our own infrastructure.
We have purchased a seven-hectare plot of land near Dzaleka refugee camp, which is enough to build infrastructure that can accommodate both primary and secondary school students.
Proposed Infrastructure
- 8 classrooms
- 8 toilets
- 1 computer room
- 1 laboratory
- 1 library
- 1 office
- 1 staff room
- 1 borehole for water and sanitation
Sustainability
School Fees & Income Generation
CC charges monthly fees for children to attend school, which helps cover costs for vulnerable and marginalized children. We also develop income-generating activities such as livestock rearing.
Community Integration
Malawians are an integral part of our organization, ensuring local leadership and sustainability. We target 70% refugees and 30% Malawians in our student body.
Parent Teacher Association
Our monthly PTA meetings ensure parents are involved in decision-making and hiring, creating effective and efficient school management.
Future Expansion
Plans include building a Technical College for students and a private clinic to expand services to the community.