2026 statistics & Updates
Malimba Community School
Malimba Community School was established in 2001. This year, Malimba has a total enrollment of 580 students.
2026 sadly brings a reduced enrollment due to the devastating floods we had in February and March, as families relocated out of the area.
There are 10 teachers, with 5 on government payroll and 5 volunteer teachers who are under Tribal Textiles, the school also has two watchmen, and a new Head teacher by the Name of Christine Ngoma.
2026 has seen a developing school play park for the ECE - currently work in progress.
The school teaches the following subjects:
• Mathematics
• English
• Science
• Social Studies
• Home Economics
• Technology Studies
• Expressive Arts
• Nyanja
Malimba also has two classes for ECE, baby class and reception.
Get Creative for a Great Cause
If you're ever visiting the South Luangwa Valley, take a break from your safari and spend some time in our shop and café garden.
Better yet, join one of our hands-on batik classes. Every class helps support Malimba Community School, so you can get creative while giving something back to the local community!
the vital key to education
Supporting Teachers
We continue to sponsor seven teachers and
two watch men, providing salaries
and helping to create education in
a vulnerable community.
DONATIONS & PROJECTS
How We Work With Malimba
Providing Salaries • 7 Teachers & 2 Grounds Staff
Donating From Product Sales
Donating From 'Art Safari' Batik Classes At Our Shop
Malimba Kitchen Towels
FOR JO JO
Make Me Smile
Make Me Smile is a small charity that supports community and conservation projects in South Luangwa, Zambia. Including, The Malimba Community School.
Founded by the friends and family of Jojo Harris - a previous employee of Tribal Textiles.
Jojo sadly passed away in 2008 and the charity was set up, continuing her dream of making a difference in education and conservation, in the poorest of places, in the hardest of times.
Make Me Smile continues their work today, continuing Jojo's legacy here in Mfuwe.
Click the link below to learn more...
a timeline of projects to date
Malimba School - Key Dates
There have been several projects over the year since The Malimba School started. From product collections donating back to the school, to new building projects. See the timeline of events ...
2001
In 2001 the local community decided to start a school and with no outside assistance they built a mud-brick classroom, painted a chalkboard and Malimba Community School was born!
For many children this was their first opportunity to attend classes; the teachers were dedicated volunteers but not formally qualified.
2004
In 2004 the Rural Water Supply Eastern Province - KFW/DWA Project - kindly donated and installed a water-well with a hand-pump. Without this vital input no further progress on the development of the school would have been possible. Some of this vital funding was also raised by Make Me Smile and Tribal Textiles.
In 2004 the school had a roll call of about 250 children, it now has over 580 pupils attending the school in two sessions, morning and afternoon.
2009
In March of 2009 the JoJo Harris dining hall was opened in partnership with Make Me Smile and the World Food Programme which provides funding to make porrdige every morning for the school children. This meant there was storing space for the food provided and a designated place for students to eat meals. This now doubles up as another classroom due to limited space with an expanding student body.
2011
In 2011, Make me Smile continued to work tirelessly to raise money to invest in Malimba School and their contributions alongside Tribal Textiles brought the much prized library into fruition. As a tri-partite partnership the community looked to contribute in any way possible giving their time and labour. Tabu Milanzi, the PTA Chairman worked with the 19 local villages to galvanize labour and made the 85,000 mud bricks needed.
By 2012 all the hard work for building the new library payed off and we were glad to bring in some local teachers to volunteer to teach phoenetics with the children whilst also providing books.
2025
In 2025, with the help of Africa Hope Fund the library got a much needed redecorate as well as a restock of new books and learning materials.
2001
2004
2009
2012
Thank You For Your Support
Without YOUR purchases, we would not be able to provide donations through sales to Malimba community school and beyond. If you would like to get involved with the school, head to the Make Me A Smile online website via the link below.