Build the USAP Community School in Zimbabwe

2025 marks the beginning of a full academic year at our permanent home. We are excited to have welcomed to the community our sixth cohort of 46 talented students from diverse backgrounds across Zimbabwe including Tongogara Refugee Camp. Chosen from a pool of 681 applicants and 125 interviews the class comprises of 20 female and 26 male students. In terms of geography, 52% come from high density suburbs, 31 % from rural areas and 7% from Tongogara Refugee Camp. Prior to USAP Community School, 5 of the students had been out of school for over a year.

On January 14th, 2025, these newest members joined the USAP class of 2025 on campus. Over the past few weeks, they have participated in an orientation designed to introduce them to the school values, extracurriculars and shared commitment to see potential in others. They have all signed our Honor Code in our Honor Code ceremony which is hallmark tradition. Our new cohort is now fully immersed in their first term classes with 21 studying Biology and 25 studying Physics.

In two years, students will graduate with a holistic value based academic background, and Cambridge A-Level certificates. However, what is less easily measured, and even more important, is the personal growth, sense of responsibility, and strong network and sense of community that they will build along the way. We look forward to our students' outstanding achievements and contributions to our community, their home communities and the world at large.

USAP Community School received a generous donation of  USD $30,700 for the installation of a 24kW solar power system at our permanent campus. This critical step will drive us toward environmental sustainability that will fundamentally change our educational community.

For too long, our school has relied on an inconsistent electrical power supply, receiving an average of six hours of electricity each day, with load shedding shortages consistently starting at 5am through 11pm. This solar initiative is a pivotal step in our mission to become a model sustainable school, taking advantage of Zimbabwe’s abundant sunshine. With the installation of the solar system, we are not just improving our power supply; we are also laying the foundation for a sustainable future.

The project comprises 56 new solar panels powered by a three-phase 24Kv battery and an inverter system. The system is set with a 50Kv inventor, allowing us to extend the project if we are to get future donations to purchase more batteries and panels. With reliable access to power, we can ensure a dynamic educational environment for our students and faculty. This solar power system is already enhancing our students’ learning experiences. Our students are now able to attend evening study and extend learning hours and lab technology access, through going for faculty office hours which are essential components for academic success. It also allows our refrigerators and freezers to stay on, ensuring food safety standards at our school.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the couple that made a donation as a way to offset the carbon footprints for the company the husband runs. We are determined to maximize the benefits of this solar installation. Their generous donation is a commitment to the future of our students. We believe that this investment will yield significant returns in students' performance and in the development of our vibrant learning community.