Dzaleka Refugee Camp · Dowa District, Malawi

Every child deserves a strong start.

The African Village Project runs an Education Support Centre giving refugee children the foundational learning, safe play and care they need to thrive — reaching over 1,000 children and their families every week.

Support the Centre See our Programmes
54,000+ people live in Dzaleka camp
1,000+ children & families reached weekly
4–5 year-olds in play-based ECD
1–4 grades supported with remedial classes

Who we are

A learning centre built around the child

The AVP Education Support Centre is a safe haven for learning inside Dzaleka Refugee Camp. We focus on the foundational stages of education — early childhood development for nursery and reception ages, and targeted remedial support in literacy and numeracy for primary learners in grades 1 to 4.

Our approach combines play-based learning, a nutritious school feeding programme, sports and safe play, adult literacy and English classes, and engaging weekend activities for the wider community. We aim to build a strong educational foundation for lifelong learning and meaningful community contribution.

  • Specialised early childhood development (ECD) for 4–5 year-olds
  • Remedial literacy & numeracy for grades 1–4
  • School feeding, safe play, sports and weekend programmes
  • Health & wellness workshops for women and girls
A teacher leads young learners inside a bright AVP classroom

The need

Why an education support centre matters

Dzaleka is home to over 54,000 people, and more than half are school-going children. Yet there are no public schools for refugee children in the camp.

Overcrowded & under-resourced

A single NGO-run school serves the camp, with very high enrolments, overcrowded classrooms and insufficient provision for high-quality teaching.

Fees lock children out

The few private schools that have sprung up depend wholly on tuition fees — leaving out many children and stretching the limited resources of families.

A double language barrier

The community speaks mainly Swahili and French, but schools teach in English. Children must decode both the language and the content, slowing progress.

Without a strong foundation, many children risk spending their entire school-age years in the camp without meaningful education. Investing in foundational literacy and numeracy now transforms their life chances — and the future of the whole community.

What we do

Our programmes

Education support is structured to meet a diverse range of learning needs, from our youngest learners to primary pupils who need to catch up.

Nursery and reception children lined up with their teacher
Ages 4–5 · ECD

Early Childhood Development

Nursery and reception classes use play-based activities to spark curiosity and lay a strong foundation in early literacy and numeracy — in a stimulating, supportive and caring environment.

Primary-aged learners take part in activities on the court
Grades 1–4 · Remedial

Foundational Literacy & Numeracy

Targeted remedial instruction in English and Mathematics helps primary learners close gaps, strengthen core competencies and progress with confidence through the education system.

Children playing and running on the AVP sports court
Whole child

Feeding, Play & Wellbeing

A nutritious feeding programme, sports and safe play, daycare, and health and wellness workshops for women and girls support every child's body and mind — not just their books.

A day at AVP

Open 7:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday

Running in shifts lets the centre serve as many children as possible across the day.

7:30 – 9:30

ECD morning session

Nursery & reception · play-based early literacy and numeracy.

10:00 – 12:00

ECD late-morning session

A second cohort of young learners builds foundational skills.

12:30 – 13:00

Lunch & feeding programme

Meals and snacks support learners before afternoon classes.

13:00 – 15:00

Remedial — Option 1

Grades 1–4 · English & Mathematics support.

15:00 – 17:00

Remedial — Option 2

A second afternoon slot widens access for more learners.

Keeping children safe

Child safeguarding is at our core

Because of the particularly vulnerable nature of the children we serve, AVP maintains a robust Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy, grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Malawian law.

  • A trained Safeguarding Lead and Child Protection Officers on site
  • All staff vetted, trained and bound by a Code of Conduct
  • A secure token-based drop-off and collection procedure for every child
  • Clear, confidential reporting for any concern about a child's wellbeing
A staff member welcomes smiling children at the classroom entrance

Help us give refugee children a future

Your partnership funds classrooms, meals, learning materials and the dedicated teachers who make it all possible. Get in touch to support the centre, partner with us, or learn more.

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Get in touch

Contact the centre

We'd love to hear from supporters, partners, parents and visitors. Reach us through any of the channels below.

Email

info@avp.org

Phone / WhatsApp

+265 (0) 99 000 1200

Mon–Fri, 7:00am – 5:00pm

Visit us

AVP Education Support Centre
Dzaleka Refugee Camp
Dowa District, Malawi