Rebuilding Birshi Gandu Primary School

Dear Leadership Initiatives Donor,

We are excited to share that in Lushi, your generosity made it possible to complete four new classrooms and add four bathrooms to the school campus, directly addressing urgent overcrowding and sanitation needs. Over the past months, our team worked closely with community leaders, school administrators, and local artisans to plan, build, furnish, and hand over spaces that fit the rhythms of school life in Lushi. Each classroom is well-lit, properly ventilated, and fully equipped with new desks and chairs. The bathrooms provide safe, private, and clean facilities near the learning blocks, allowing students and teachers to stay on campus throughout the day with dignity.

Early feedback from educators and families is encouraging. Teachers report fewer disruptions and more time on task now that classes are no longer sharing rooms or crowding corridors, and students can write comfortably at desks instead of the floor or crowded benches. Parents tell us they expect steadier attendance, especially for girls, because reliable sanitation reduces missed days and the embarrassment that kept some students at home. The improvements are already creating a ripple effect in the community as families see a school that is safer, more welcoming, and better equipped to help children thrive.

One story stands out from the first week of use. Aisha, a Primary 5 student, used to leave school early whenever she did not feel comfortable using the old facilities and often struggled to complete written work without a proper desk. In her words, the new bathrooms “make it easier to stay and learn,” and having her own desk and chair has helped her keep notes organized and finish assignments on time. Her teacher added that with the extra classroom space and furniture, Aisha’s group now has a quiet corner for reading and is completing work during school hours rather than taking unfinished assignments home.

Looking ahead, our team will continue to monitor the facilities and furniture on a monthly basis to ensure they remain in good condition. The school is introducing simple hygiene routines, a student-led cleaning roster, and brief lessons on handwashing and facility care, with support from local health staff. We will track attendance, classroom performance snapshots, and maintenance logs so that support remains responsive to real needs on the ground.

Your support turned blueprints into classrooms, concern into clean, usable bathrooms, and bare rooms into furnished learning spaces for the children of Lushi. On behalf of the students, teachers, and families benefiting from this project, thank you for investing in safe learning environments and brighter futures. If you would like to get more involved or learn additional ways to assist, please contact our Executive Director, Marshall Bailly, at mbailly@lichange.org. Your engagement is invaluable to us.

Your continued support will help us bring desks, chairs, and clean facilities to more children in Lushi and neighboring communities.

Sincerely,

The Leadership Initiatives Team