Cacilhas Norte school

overview

The story of Cacilhas Norte is one of passion and commitment. With thousands of children in the area, and no schools, the principal and community worried for the future of their kids without access to education. As the government was not in a position to help, they came together to purchase land for a school. The project was started in 2014, with community members contributing money each year toward a new school with 17 classrooms, offices, and 15 bathrooms, to improve the teaching and learning process. The school was about ⅓ complete when they met with the RISE Angola team and asked that RISE help them finish the school. The vision to partner with this community was cast at our 2018 Benefit, to complete the school and give these kids access to education. Funds were generously donated and have been combined with those from Educate A Child, and construction began immediately.

Cacilhas Norte is in an urban, poor area – with access by winding through rutted, mud “streets” lined with block and tin structures, small shops, lots of people, chickens, goats and pigs. For years, the Principal advocated for the kids, for more than education under trees and in tin rooms, and said she now “feels like someone who is dreaming, or watching tv, as it is too good to be true!” At the last meeting with the community, she shared that, “the project was approved, and the community members were jumping with joy. At moments like this, you don’t find words. Kids will be different – with a building like this, the students, community and country will start changing.”

The school was joyfully dedicated on February 7, 2020 and kids now have a school to attend for the first time!