Education Zambia Project #50309

Gift Hope: Sponsor a Child in Zambia

by The African Impact Foundation

Project Report | Mar 18, 2024
Sponsor a Child Update!

By Michelle Procter | Executive Director

Sponsor a Child program has been off to a great start this year and because of your donation, you have provided a lifeline to children that otherwise would be unable to access an adequate education. Despite the introduction of free education in Zambia in government schools, fees for mission and private schools, as well as many hidden costs that prevent a child’s learning remain.

Your donation allows underprivileged children essential resources such as exercise books and pens, uniforms and shoes and additional costs are covered. This enables them the opportunity to thrive in school and aspire for a better future.

Given the delay in the start of the academic year as a result of a cholera outbreak in Zambia, the children in Zambia have been out of school for an extended period of time. Consequently, the need for support in their education is as important as ever. Through sponsorship in 2024 we have enabled 156 children to enrol and remain in education.

At present, in 2024, the program has distributed school supplies to 128 children from pre-school to grade 12. This not only alleviates the financial barrier to accessing a quality education but provides the children with motivation, self-belief and hope for a better future after their education.

In letters written to their sponsors, the beneficiaries expressed sincere gratitude, a commitment to learning and hope for the future.

Grade 12 student Emmanuel, noted just how much of an impact this sponsorship has had on his life both within school and beyond.

"Having everything I need for school has always given me hope and motivated me to grab the key to success. No matter how hard life can get at home, I have always had hope for education and making it in life. I can't thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to have a good education and a better chance of achieving my dreams and making them a reality."

Additionally, 11 of our 2023 Grade 12 students gained their requirements and school certificates! Without your generosity, these achievements would have been unattainable for these learners. They are now able to consider tertiary education and better employment opportunities consequently breaking the cycle of poverty and having a positive impact on their communities.

Collaborating and communicating with school management and parent-teacher committees ensures that we identify the children that are most in need of our support.

In order to continue supporting these children with the necessary tools to succeed in their education throughout the upcoming year, we hope to expand and establish a consistent network of sponsors. We are also encouraging previous beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture of kindness by becoming donors themselves after they complete their education.

By increasing our monitoring and evaluation and following our students closely from the start of their sponsorships, we will be able to identify any additional challenges that are restricting their success and be able to accurately evaluate and reflect on the impact on communities longer term.

Without your continued support, the transformative effects on these children and the wider community would not be possible. Education is not just a privilege but their sponsorship raises their aspirations and provides a gateway to new opportunities.

You play such a huge part in the ongoing mission to empower children through education.

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Nov 16, 2023
The dream of becoming a school head girl

By Memory Mundia | Impact Operations Manager

Faides is full of life and very ambitious; she believes that background cannot hinder one's dreams. She was born on 13^th March 2004 in a community called Airport in Livingstone, Zambia; she lives with her mother and father.

Faides started primary school when she was eight years old at Mwandi Community School because her parents were not able to take her to a government or private school; during extra-curricular activities, volunteers from a particular organization would go to their school and have sports sessions, and it was at that time a specific volunteer felt the need to help sponsor her education by buying school requirements for her which gave her the reason to work extra hard.

Faides was an outstanding learner throughout primary school; she enjoyed being a team player, was in the top five in academic work, and was very good at netball. During this period, she was sure she would be a school head girl someday because of her leadership skills.

In 2021, Faides went to secondary school level -grade 10 at David Livingstone Secondary School, where she has continued to work extra hard; her grades and extra-curricular performance keep getting better. Her donor has continued to sponsor her education, which she believes has been her driving force to work hard so that she can change her family's financial situation shortly." The impact of being on sponsorship has made me realize that I can attain my goal to become a better person who will influence my environment by making an informed decision because I am well educated and have the knowledge; my background is not a barrier to me working hard or become successful' says Angela.

The dream of becoming a school head girl finally came to pass when she was in grade 11 in 2022, and she is so sure she has been one of the best head girls at her school because of her outstanding leadership skills.

Dreams do come true, says Faides, and she would like to urge a girl child out there coming from a rough background that you can be who you want to be by focusing and working hard toward your dream.

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Jul 6, 2023
The Impact of Ongoing Sponsorship

By Maryke Coetzee | Donor Relations Coordinator

The African Impact Foundation's "Sponsor a Child" campaign in Zambia aims to provide underprivileged children with free, quality education up to grade 12, covering school materials, fees, and education mentoring.

With the help of sponsorship, in 2023, over 150 students have gained access to quality education and valuable opportunities that would have otherwise been impossible.

Generous contributions have enabled us to provide students with essential education resources such as school fees, uniforms, shoes, books, and more, thus equipping them with the necessary tools to succeed in their learning journey.

The impact of sponsorship extends beyond tangible items and instils a sense of belonging and encouragement.

We are immensely proud to share that our program has achieved significant milestones thus far, thanks to the generous support of people like you who serve as the lifeline that sustains our work.

Program Achievements:

Student Enrollment: In the first quarter of 2023, we successfully enrolled more than 150 learners into the Sponsor a Child Program. These students come from economically challenged backgrounds, and your support has allowed them to access the quality education they would otherwise be unable to afford.

School Supplies Distribution: During school visits, we identified the changing circumstances of some learners. Seven students had transferred to new schools, while different organizations had sponsored eight others. However, despite these changes, we supported six adult learners and 14 children under the general Department of education fund, ensuring they received necessary school supplies and resources.

Academic Excellence: In the 2022 Grade 12 exams, eight out of 24 learners supported by the Sponsor a Child Program performed exceptionally well. Their achievements are a testament to the impact of your support on their educational journey and their readiness to pursue higher education opportunities.

Parental Engagement: Recognizing the importance of parental involvement, we organized a parents' forum meeting in March. This gathering provided an opportunity to discuss the academic performance of the sponsored children and encouraged parents to participate in their education actively. We were thrilled to see 140 parents and learners attending, demonstrating our community's growing commitment and engagement.

Thanks to your generosity, the Sponsor a Child Program has profoundly impacted the lives of these children and their families. Your support has provided them with education access and instilled hope, motivation, and self-belief.

We are committed to expanding the program and reaching even more needy children. We aim to strengthen our partnerships with local schools, community organizations, and volunteers to enhance the support and guidance provided to sponsored students. Additionally, we are exploring mentorship initiatives and career guidance programs to ensure the holistic development of the children under our care.

We sincerely thank our donors for their unwavering support of the Sponsor a Child Program. Your contributions have transformed the lives of these deserving children, enabling them to break free from the shackles of poverty through the power of education. Together, we are making a lasting impact and building a brighter future for these young individuals.

We encourage you to continue your support via the Sponsor a Child's Education project and join us in our ongoing mission to empower more children with the gift of education.Your generosity is changing lives and creating a ripple effect of positive change in our community.

Thank you once again for your invaluable support.

The African Impact Foundation Team

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