Cikoko

History of a charity

Our History: The Heart of Mukambi Community School

At Mukambi Safari Lodge, our “local village” isn’t down the road—it is right here on our doorstep. Because we are tucked away in the remote, breathtaking wilds of the Kafue National Park, our staff and their families live on-site, forming a close-knit community in the heart of the bush.
When we started we faced a difficult reality: the nearest school was a grueling half-day walk away. For the children of our team, this meant either missing out on an education or being sent far away from their parents. We couldn’t let that happen. To keep our families together and ensure the next generation had a future, we decided to take action. We started a small primary school right here at the lodge.
The transformation of Mukambi Community School is a story of incredible growth, rooted in the most humble of beginnings. What started in 2004 as little more than a makeshift tent and a single volunteer teacher has evolved into a thriving educational institution. Our first major milestone came in 2006, when the generosity of our first donor Kees Both allowed us to replace that tent with our very first permanent school block. The foundation was further strengthened in 2010 when Cikoko Charity became involved, providing the consistent support needed to keep pace with our growing student body.
About Cikoko Charity
In 2006, a traveler named Nick arrived at our gates. He was in the middle of an ambitious six-month expedition across Southern and Eastern Africa, and Mukambi happened to be a stop on his journey. What started as a guest visit quickly turned into something much deeper.
Over the years, Nick returned to visit us many times. Through shared sundowners and stories of the Kafue, we formed a lasting friendship. He saw firsthand how our little school was flourishing—so much so, in fact, that it was beginning to outgrow what we could support on our own.
In 2010, driven by that friendship and a shared commitment to these children, we reached a turning point. Nick and his team stepped up to take on the responsibility of sponsoring the school, founding the CIKOKO charity in the UK. This partnership allowed the school to access Gift Aid and corporate matching, providing the stable foundation our students needed to truly thrive..
Cikoko is a dedicated UK-registered charity established in 2010 with a singular mission: to support the Mukambi Community School right here in the Kafue National Park.
What makes Cikoko so special to us is the personal commitment of its trustees. Beyond just overseeing the charity, they personally cover all administrative fees and sponsor our teachers’ salaries. This unique arrangement ensures a “100% model,” where every single penny raised through their fundraising and your generous donations goes directly into the classroom.
By partnering with Cikoko, we can guarantee that your support translates immediately into better resources, stronger infrastructure, and a brighter future for the children of the Mukambi community.

Our history continued….

From those early days of fewer than 30 pupils, we have grown to support over 100 learners and five dedicated teachers. To accommodate this, we’ve expanded significantly;
In 2017, Nick personally took on the grueling Thames Path Walk challenge, trekking 100 painful kilometers non-stop to spearhead fundraising efforts. Thanks to the incredible generosity of his colleagues and friends, combined with the power of the Schroders Investment Management matched-giving scheme, he successfully raised £14,000. These vital funds allowed us to build an additional school block and storeroom.
In 2018, Cikoko decided to take their support for our school to a whole new level—this time, with a hands-on approach. When they reached out to their network of regular donors, the response was nothing short of incredible. Within minutes, 13 volunteers committed not only to raising £1,000 each for a major new build project but also to traveling to the Lodge at their own expense to get stuck into the construction themselves.
The Volunteer Trips!
The 2018 volunteer trip was an incredible success and a milestone we will never forget. Robyn, Ed-Jan, and the entire Mukambi staff —along with our teachers and pupils—were honored to welcome such a dedicated group into our community.
The volunteers threw themselves into the project with such energy that we didn’t just finish the new school block; we even had time to refurbish our existing classrooms! Between the bricks and mortar, the team spent precious time getting to know the students and teachers. They even tried their hand at a few local playground games—though it’s fair to say the kids were much more impressed by the team’s building skills than their athletic prowess!
For many in the group, this was their first time volunteering on a project of this scale and their very first introduction to the magic of Africa. During their downtime, they traded their tools for binoculars, heading out on game drives and boat cruises to experience the untamed beauty of the Kafue National Park. From the peaceful flow of the Kafue River to sightings of the elusive leopard, the bush worked its usual charm on everyone.
The week culminated in a beautiful opening ceremony attended by the volunteers, students, community members, and local officials. It was a proud moment for all of us at Mukambi Lodge to see the new school block officially ready for our learners. This trip was a life-changing experience for the volunteers, many of whom we know will be back to visit their friends here in the Kafue.
The momentum continued into June 2025, when we were thrilled to host 28 incredible volunteers who joined us for an intensive and heart-warming week of service. The energy was electric as the team set to work repainting every single school building and revarnishing all the furniture, leaving the campus looking brand new. The week was filled with unique moments, including a truly special highlight where one talented volunteer shared the gift of music by giving the students opera lessons!
The generosity of the group extended beyond their labor, as they arrived with suitcases filled with clothes that were carefully sorted and distributed to the children. To celebrate our partnership, the students performed a vibrant play filled with traditional dances, followed by high-spirited football and netball matches. We capped off this unforgettable week the best way we know how—with a traditional braai, bringing volunteers, students, and the community together to celebrate the bright future we are building side-by-side.

The Result…

Today, our students no longer learn in shifts or temporary outdoor spaces. Instead, they thrive in multiple modern classrooms equipped with solar power, a vibrant playground, and dedicated ablution facilities.
Beyond the classroom, the addition of a borehole and water tank has provided the entire community with safe water PLUS a Food program for the children and solar electricity for the community centre.
The impact of these improvements is clear. Over the past eight years, Mukambi Community School has produced some of the top-performing students in the region. Many have gone on to attend local colleges, and we are incredibly proud to see several of our former students now serving as members of our own management team at the lodge, truly giving back to the community that raised them.
The Future
The Cikoko Charity trustees are committed to the continued support of the Mukambi Community School. They have expanded their funding to include additional teacher training and the financial support of two ambitious ex-pupils who are keen to further their education by attending Lusaka University.

Absalom Mokola, graduated from the Zambia Institute for Tourism & Hospitality Studies (ZITHS) with an Executive Diploma in Hospitality Management!⁠ Absalom was one of the very first students at the Mukambi Community School when it began as nothing more than a small, humble tented shelter.⁠

Botson Jr., the son of our chef, Botson Sr attended the Mukambi Community School before going on to achieve top marks throughout his education. He was awarded a government scholarship to attend the University of Zambia, and with additional financial support from the Cikoko Charity, he was able to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Education for Mathematics on May 24, 2023.⁠