From Ambulances to Classrooms -Namadingo To Constructs School Block for Wataka Primary In Machinga

 Renowned Malawian musician Petience Namadingo, popularly known as Dr. Namadingo, has shifted his philanthropic efforts from renovating ambulances in Mangochi to constructing a new school block at Wataka Primary School in Machinga District.

The historic Catholic Church-established school, founded in 1934, currently faces severe infrastructure challenges, with one block recently condemned as unsafe by quality assessors. This has forced 1,914 pupils and 18 teachers to conduct lessons under mango trees, disrupting education during rainy weather.

Namadingo revealed yesterday on his Facebook page that  he redirected funds originally meant for ambulance repairs after receiving a heartfelt plea from Wataka Primary School officials.

“The day I left Mangochi, the school wrote to me begging for help. After seeing their condition, I couldn’t say no,” the musician explained. “Every child deserves a proper classroom not lessons under the scorching sun or in fear of rain.”

Starting next Wednesday, Namadingo will camp in the village for 14 days to oversee the project, working alongside local community members.

“By the time I leave, Wataka Primary will have the school block they’ve been waiting for,” he vowed. The school serves children from eight surrounding villages in Machinga and parts of Mangochi.

Education experts have long warned about Malawi’s shortage of adequate school infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Namadingo’s intervention comes as a relief to Wataka’s pupils, who have struggled with makeshift classrooms for years.

“This is more than a building it’s hope for nearly 2,000 children,” said a local teacher. “Finally, learning won’t stop just because it rains.”

Construction is set to begin next week, with Namadingo personally supervising the initial stages.