Review of iChange's Activities in 2025 and Outlook for 2026

November 2025

The year 2025 was a moving one for the Mackenzie Community School in many ways. While school operations continued to grow and many successes were celebrated, an unexpected construction halt put everyone's patience to the test.

Construction Halt for the New Toilet Facilities

At the beginning of the year, construction began on new toilet facilities — a project of great importance to the school community. However, despite good planning and secured funding, the work came to a standstill. Due to an ongoing legal dispute between the government and a neighboring property (see last year's outlook), the construction was stopped by court order. The court hearing was postponed several times during the year, blocking all current construction projects. This delay has been frustrating for everyone involved, as it prevents urgently needed improvements to hygiene conditions.

Successful School Operations

Despite these challenges, the school's overall development remains positive. Around 500 students now attend the Mackenzie Community School, which is run by ten dedicated teachers. Daily school life is vibrant, and the teachers do an impressive job of providing the children with education and future opportunities.

Alongside the regular funding of teachers' salaries and the purchase of school materials, several renovation projects were carried out. Notably, part of the school wall damaged in a nighttime truck accident was repaired. In addition, two visits from board members took place to maintain contact with local partners and build new networks — a key element of long-term cooperation.

25th Anniversary of the Mackenzie Community School

A particularly special moment of the year was the school's 25th anniversary. The celebration was held with great joy and provided an opportunity to look back on a long history of commitment, learning, and hope. iChange is proud to have been an essential part of this success story for about 17 years. Impressions and photos from the celebration can be found on iChange's Facebook page.

Outlook for 2026

Looking ahead to next year, optimism remains high. As soon as the legal dispute is resolved, construction of the toilet facilities is expected to resume as quickly as possible. In the long term, the school will also examine whether additional land is available for expansion. The only public primary school in the neighborhood will close next year, which will further increase student numbers.

Starting next year, Mackenzie Community School will also be officially recognized as a government school. This new status will bring changes, but government support remains irregular and unreliable for now. Therefore, the school continues to rely on support from charitable organizations. The goal remains to provide the best possible primary education for the poorest members of the community.

A visit from the board is already planned to discuss the new circumstances on site and, together with the teaching team, plan the next steps — with the aim of continuing to strengthen the Mackenzie Community School as a vibrant place of learning and hope in the coming year.