Life expectancy in Malawi is 36 years and up to 20% of the population have HIV/AIDS. Just over half of adults can read and write and access to education is most difficult for girls and in rural areas. The aim is to build and support a girls' secondary boarding school in Northern Malawi. A 16-hectare site for the school has been donated by the local community. Over the past year, The Chesney Trust has created detailed architectural plans and a clear budget for the building and future running of the school. It will be known as the Edinburgh Girls’ High School and is linked to the Mary Erskine Stewart’s Melville School in Edinburgh who have already donated £43,000. The total cost of the school is £383,000. The project will be carried out in five phases. Phase 1 of the project, which will lead to the opening of the school with a first-year cohort of 40 girls, will cost approximately £145,000 and is planned to be completed by end-2010. This Phase involves the construction of two double classroom blocks (one half to act as a library), a hostel block, a kitchen block and an administration block, a teacher's house and a matron's house. Phase 2: Hostel block + running costs Phase 3: Hostel block + running costs Phase 4: Hostel block, science block + running costs Phase 5: Library + running costs Further Phases will increase capacity to 320 girls. N.B. A permanent bridge to the site - funded by The Chesney Trust - which will also benefit the local community, was completed within budget and on time. Fee income of £300 per girl per year will reduce costs after Phase 1. Bursaries will be offered to children with hearing impairment, and orphans. The Project Value below refers to further costs of Phase 1.