Give the Gift of Education: Sponsor a Child Zambia

In Zambia, only 8% of youth complete secondary school; with just 3% of those students going on to complete higher education. With 60% of the population living below the poverty line, it is not uncommon for children to be forced into labour to support their families at a time where they should be attending school and learning.

In April, 2019, Edward was awarded the prestigious opportunity to attend Yale Young African Scholars. Thousands of students from over 45 countries apply for this unique opportunity to further their education. The Yale Young African Scholars program (YYAS) is an intensive academic enrichment course designed for African secondary school students planning to pursue tertiary education. Following the program, students will be paired with mentors from local organizations, as well as with U.S. University students who will help advise them throughout the university application process.

Edward Zulu is an eighteen year old student attending 11th Grade at St. Raphael’s Secondary School in Livingstone, Zambia. Edward is the fourth born of a family of five where he lives in a small compound called Libuyu. Education is very important to his mother, as she is a single mother raising five children and understands it key for a successful future. 

Edward has been part of our Sponsor a Child program for the past two years as high school fees were becoming difficult for him mother to pay. We are so incredibly proud of Edward as the past two years he was the top student in JETS Science Club and was awarded with a Science Certificate. Edwards’s favorite subject is science and he wishes to be a doctor when he finishes school as he states, “I would like to save other people’s lives”. His acceptance into the YYAS program means that he will be better equipped to achieve these dreams.

We are eager to continue to spread this program to additional Sponsor a Child students for years to come. Additionally, we are busy getting together a new project which will support students in Tertiary Education. Keep an eye out for more updates soon!