Rising Star School – Primary School in Hopley
PARTNER
Rising Star Primary School Hopley
Vision & Hope Foundation Harare
Engineers Without Borders Germany
LOCATION
Hopley, Harare, Zimbabwe
COMMUNITY
Students, teachers, and administrative staff at the primary school in Hopley
PHASE
DURATION
2013 – 2023
BUDGET
835.000 EUR
ARCHITECTURE
The project was implemented by Engineers Without Borders Germany. Further information on the architecture of the award-winning Rising Star Primary School and the doctoral research activities of our founder Kristina Ziadeh.
The enrollment of the children has increased due to the good image of the school. The pass rate increased than before since now the children are learning under a child friendly environment. I am now honoured by the community because of the school structure, which improved my dignity.
The Rising Star School is located on the outskirts of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. The Hopley neighbourhood is characterised by informal housing structures. An estimated 200,000 people live in Hopley, but it lacks basic urban infrastructure such as electricity, running water, and sanitation systems. In the heart of this densely populated settlement, the primary school serves as a hub for the community, functioning not only as a school during regular school hours but also as a gathering place for residents.
The school building was constructed jointly by the school administration, the Vision & Hope Foundation, and Engineers Without Borders Germany. After seven construction phases, it was completed and handed over in March 2023. In addition to classrooms and administrative offices, a sanitation building with separate toilets for girls, boys, and teachers was also built by the same partners. Our founder, Kristina Ziadeh, oversaw the project and construction management on behalf of Engineers Without Borders.
The school provides a reliable curriculum for approximately 800 children in primary school grades 1 to 7 and the associated ECD (Early Childhood Development). Along with another state primary school, Rising Star School is Hopley’s largest educational institution. Although it falls far short of the general demand for school-aged children in Hopley, it offers many children and adolescents hope for an appropriate education and increases chances of further education and employment.
Thanks to its award-winning architecture, the Rising Star School is known far beyond its own district boundaries. The community around the school bears its name with pride. In the evenings and on weekends, the school opens its premises for external functions such as professional development courses, awareness campaigns, and church services.