In 2006, Nickton founded Generous Community School (one of seven of our Chibanja partner schools) with a simple but powerful dream—to teach children how to read and write. He saw firsthand how many kids in his community were missing out on education due to a lack of schools and lack of resources. Without access to learning, these children were left vulnerable, getting caught up in petty crimes and early marriages, with little hope for a better future. Nickton believed education was the solution to unlocking their potential, and he was determined to do something about it.
But he had two major problems; he was broke and inexperienced. With only K150 ($28) to his name and no prior experience running a school or teaching (his background was in mechanical engineering), he took a leap of faith. People thought he was crazy for quitting his job, giving up a stable income, and starting a school. With the little money he had, he printed out enrollment forms, rented a small house, and started his school with just three students.
Running a school was much harder than he expected. The daily challenges of managing school operations and teaching overwhelmed him. The school was growing, but something was missing. He struggled to get parents and other stakeholders involved, and he wasn’t sure how to bridge that gap.
Nickton’s class of preschoolers to 4th graders in 2015
Through a mutual friend, Nickton got connected with Impact One Initiative in 2013. When he first met Whitney, Impact One’s founder, he thought she was going to build him a school! But as they worked together, he realized her role was even more valuable; helping him see his own potential. Through Impact One’s trainings and mentorship, he gained essential skills in classroom management, financial planning, and donor engagement. This knowledge changed everything and helped the school progress further.
Nickton didn’t waste any time putting his new skills to work. Through his financial management skills, he was able to save enough money to build a block of bathrooms improving sanitation for his students. But he didn’t stop there. He’s been reaching out to donors, not just asking for help but giving them the opportunity to be part of making a real difference in the lives of his students. The response has been amazing. His school recently received a generous donation of textbooks, boxes of chalk, and water buckets, all things that will make daily learning a whole lot easier.
One of his proudest moments was finding sponsors for 13 children who couldn’t afford school fees. “Because of what I learned at Impact One, I was able to find sponsors for these children so they could stay in school,” he shared.
For 19 years, the school has been renting a property in Ng’ombe, and has always faced the uncertainty of being kicked out to make way for a tenant who has more financial capacity. But this year, Nickton’s persistence and patience is finally paying off. He has secured his own land in the community and through the support of partners, they are already beginning to build new classrooms. “This is a dream 19 years in the making,” he said.
The school is on the verge of something big. Soon, they’ll move into their new building, creating space for even more children to learn. But the journey doesn’t stop here. With continued support, Nickton hopes to expand further, reaching more children in need and ensuring they have access to quality education.
Nickton’s story is a shining example that change doesn’t happen overnight, but through commitment and effective mentorship, incredible things are possible. Impact One has been a huge part of this journey, walking alongside him every step of the way. And for Nickton, this is still just the beginning.
Nickton’s current class of 5th to 7th graders