About 14+ Foundation
14+ Foundation, Inc.
14+ Foundation, Inc. is a NYC-based 501(c)(3) non-profit established in 2012 by Joseph Mizzi and Nchimunya Wulf to develop, build and operate schools and orphanages in rural African communities.
The Chipakata Children’s Academy in Zambia, Africa opened in January 2015. The educational facility is comprised of multiple academic buildings, a dining pavilion and multiple teacher’s housing structures, and provides a comprehensive primary education (pre-school to 7th grade) for close to 250 children from the Chipakata Village community, who previously had to walk more than 14 km (close to 9 miles) total each day back and forth from the nearest school. The school’s curriculum incorporates arts-based education programs, which are central to our mission.
Community residents have been key participants in the development and construction process and will continue to actively partner with 14+ Foundation to ensure the project’s long-term success, and our facility will serve these local residents through educational programs as well as other important community-based initiatives with a focus on long-term sustainability.
The project also involves providing the community with vital improvements, goods and services including infrastructure improvements (roads, bridges and water wells), increased access to medical care and other services through projects like our community grinding mill (for maize) and a retail shop, which makes basic household goods available with all proceeds going to support direct operational costs and/or used toward other community initiatives including our micro-financing partnership with Tiyeseko Women’s Club, a community group comprised of women who seek to improve their lives and well-being through various income-producing activities including agricultural projects.
14+ Foundation recently opened its second school, Mwabwindo School in Mwabwindo Village, Zambia, which serves 250 students from pre-school through 7th grade. Located 7 miles from Chipakata Children’s Academy, Mwabwindo School will help reduce overcrowding at nearby government schools. The school houses 5 classroom and administrative buildings as well as a community garden, separate teacher’s housing and a soccer field. Mwabwindo uses 100 percent renewable energy, including solar panels, and a windmill to pump well water.