GlobalGiving.org: Sponsor Hope for Vulnerable Zambian Children

Edna update - December, 2011

Oliver M. Barry — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:49:57 GMT

Dear Friends,

We are delighted to report that Edna’s project on Global Giving has been successfully funded! Thanks to your support, Edna now has the financial support to complete her secondary school education in Zambia. Edna completed Grade 11 this month (December) and is excited to start Grade 12, her final year, in January 2012. She hopes and expects to attend university after graduation – a testament to the commitment Edna has made to her education, leadership and future success. Her achievements could not have been possible without your support.

After Edna graduates from secondary school in December 2012, she will have a full school year before she plans to enroll in a Zambian university. This is the process for all Zambian graduates and Edna hopes to make the most of it. Kucetekela Foundation will help her do so.

Any additional contributions for Edna through Global Giving will be used to support her “gap” year including her work internships and further development and implementation of community service projects. Edna also intends to serve as a tutor for current Kucetekela Foundation students.

Thank you again for supporting Edna and the Kucetekela Foundation. With your help, we are providing a better life for these exceptional students.

Edna's Thank You Letter and Picture

Oliver M. Barry — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 21:16:28 GMT

Here is a letter from Edna thanking her sponsors and a picture of her with a fellow KF scholar, Joseph Chonza.

Attachments:

EdnaLetter7.2011.doc (DOC)

Edna's School Report - Term 1 - 2011

Oliver M. Barry — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:11:53 GMT

See Edna's first term school report from Leopards Hill Secordary School. She continues to remain one of the top students in her class!

Attachments:

Edna's First Term School Report (DOC)

Edna's School Report and Work Experience

Oliver M. Barry — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:03:07 GMT

Edna's work experience comments:

My work experience week was very tiresome but also very exciting at the same time. I worked at the Ministry of Finance in the office of the Treasury department with the budge ant financial accountability adviser, who is also my mentor, Mrs Kay Blackburn.

The people I worked with during my week at the Ministry of Finance dealt much with economics and I learnt how the national planning is done and present in our country, Zambia. I am happy to say that I learnt a lot from my mentor who is my employer at the Ministry of Finance. I was taught how to use many things. Things like photocopiers, printers and computers and every day I used these equipments when doing my work experience. I was also given breaks to do whatever I wanted to do on the computers and it was this time that I took advantage of the computer and researched on my History topics from school. I also made a yahoo account so that I can get in touch with my friends and my sponsors. I was happy to receive an email from Miss Elisabeth Denniston.

I really learnt a lot from my work experience week and I thank the people I worked with for their kindness, hospitality and support that they showed me at the Ministry of Finance. I would like to go back and do the real principles of accounts at the Ministry if I will be given another educating opportunity like this. I would also like to see and work with Miss Chilufya, my employers assistant who was always with me and I was very free to ask Chilufya where I was not clear during my work experience week.

I met people who inspired me with the way they did their work and some of them talked to me about their lives and what brought them to the Ministry of Finance. Talking to people who are not my age made me feel matured and encouraged me to do what others did at the Ministry in terms of working and courtesy.

I really learnt a lot and thank you Kucetekela Foundation for grating me this memorable opportunity to take part in the working environment and experience different things before I complete my secondary school.

Thank you very much Kucetekela Foundation.

Attachments:

Edna's School Report (DOC)

Edna Lungu's December 2010 Profile

Oliver M. Barry — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 19:41:35 GMT

Student Profile

Name: Edna Lungu

Gender: Female

Date of birth: 23^rd February 1994

Place of birth: Lusaka

Mother’s name: Charity M. Lungu

Profession: Housewife

Father’s name: Salim Lungu

Profession: Unemployed

Primary School: Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe

Secondary School: Leopards Hill Secondary School

2011 Level: Grade 11

Family background:

Edna comes from a household with both parents. She is the oldest of the four children. Her younger siblings are Salim who is 14, Trever, 10, Christian, 4, and Irene, an infant. The father was a spray painter at Southern Cross Motors, but he has since been laid off. The family has since moved in with Edna’s grandparents while Mr. Lungu looks for work. Despite these difficulties, the scholarship has helped the parents afford to send their other children to school. Through Edna’s example, her brothers and sisters are working hard to succeed.

Edna’s mother remarked that Edna’s manners and confidence have markedly improved during her two years at Leopards Hill. During the holidays, she helps out around the house, cooking n’shima and relishes for her entire family

Edna’s educational background:

Primary – Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Basic School

Edna was such a dedicated and disciplined student in primary school compared to most of her fellow students. She travelled 45 minutes each day to attend school, and, even so, would usually remain behind after classes to study. It is not surprising therefore that Edna has an unbeatable academic track record at her primary school.

At Leopards Hill Secondary School

Grade 8

Edna got off to a great start in grade 8, earning 7 distinctions in her last examinations and also placing first in the overall academic class standing.

Grade 9

Edna continued to excel during grade 9, beginning to take advantage of the far more rigorous work load at Leopards Hill.

Grade 9 Academic Achievements:

First position in French, History, Religious Education, Science, Office Practice in Term 3
Second Position in English, Geography, Mathematics in Term 3

Grade 10

Edna has continued to make her family and KF proud. She finished the year in second position, just behind Bwalya, another KF student (she earned an impressive 3 As).. Though Additional Maths has been a challenge for her, she plans working extra hard to improve her marks in that subject. She continues to be an active presence at her school, motivating others to work hard and to get involved. At the annual prize-giving day at the end of the year, Edna received awards for best student in history and religious education. Edna was recently selected as a prefect at LHS for next year as well as a dorm captain, an enormous honor for students at the school. She is hoping to continue her academic excellence during grade 11.

Edna’s interests:

Extracurricular Activities

Edna is a very active girl, taking the opportunity to be involved in as many programs as possible to gain exposure and experience. She is currently involved in an Anti-Aids club, the JETS club, and drama. She also features on the school’s football, netball and basketball teams. Netball is her favorite sport, and she was very proud of scoring 18 goals in a recent match against Lusaka East School. Edna also competes in track-and-field. Edna pointed to the Model United Nations event at LHS as another highlight from the year.

During the August work experience week, Edna worked with her mentor, Kay, at the ministry of finance where she learned about the budget and accounting process as well as how to produce organized excel spreadsheets. Her boss described her as a bright girl, a quick learner.

Community Service

Off the field, Edna also participates in community service, tutoring neighboring children during her school breaks.

Career interests:

Edna would like to be an accountant because of her love of Mathematics: “I would love to continue with it and also have a job that has to do with maths.”

Edna’s role model:

Edna’s role model is her grandfather because she admires his accomplishments and perseverance. When both his parents passed away when he was in secondary school, he was forced to stop school and begin working in construction, making cement blocks. He worked for six months and then was able to raise enough funds to return a finish school. He then found sponsorship to attend college, attaining a degree in accounts. Her grandfather faced even more tragedy in his adult life—losing four of his children to illness. Nevertheless, he persevered and provided for his wife and five other children.

What others think of Edna:

Edna is a very quiet, but brilliant, young girl. She is very serious about her work and all her teachers say that studies are clearly her first priority. Edna is consistently first or second in her class.

Edna’s thoughts:

“First and foremost, I would like to thank KF for the help my parents and I are getting. Thank you for everything you have done and are still doing for me. As a member of KF I have learnt a lot of things. It’s not only in my academic learning but also in life. “

Edna Lungu's letter to her sponsors

Oliver M. Barry — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:16:22 GMT

C/O Kucetekela Foundation, P/Bag E891, Manda Hill Centre, Lusaka, Zambia

15th August 2010

Dear Sponsors,

Greetings to all of you. I am writing this letter to share my experience as a Kucetekela Foundation student and my performance at school. Saying thank you to Kucetekela Foundation for everything it has done in my life and for my family will always be my first priority.

Kucetekela Foundation has brought joy to the lives of many families and individuals in Lusaka. For being one of these families and individuals I will forever remain grateful and thankful to Kucetekela Foundation because my life has greatly and positively changed. Before I became part of this foundation, I had talents and gifts which I was sitting on and had no idea of how to develop them. After joining the K.F. family, I had opportunities that I took advantage of and began developing my talents and using my God given gifts. This organization has taught me a lot of things. Giving what you have to those lacking, with a pure heart and good intentions is one of the things that I have learned to do. K.F. gives me what I need and in turn, I give others what I can, for example, I give out help in my community in terms of teaching young children, some of them go to school and others do not. Even though I teach children, I cannot call it my community service programme because it is not taken seriously by the parents of the children. I often help in many things in my community. For instance, at church we do a lot of activities to help the sick and the disabled people in our community. When I am not at school, we usually have trips to hospitals and orphanages to visit the people who are there in different states. Involving myself in all these activities has made me realize what I can do for others in life. As people always say “you can’t change the whole world but can change one’s world”. It is very important in life to help people even if you have no money to give them but offer them anything that they can use to change their lives to something better. Coming to the part of class performance, I have continued working hard and hope to work harder in future. Being a student who knows what I want to do and where I want to be ten years from now, I always take off the banner for being poor and raise the banner for hard work and being focused. I do not let the fact that I came from a poor family hinder my happiness and my opportunities in life but I also remember where I am coming from.

I must say that I am happy with my performance in class and in sporting activities. I have books from the foundation and good teachers who help me in every subject and aspect of school life.

Through the foundation I am able to attend motivational conferences and talks from highly respected people in society. People who have made it in fife through struggles have talked to me about how circumstances change in life and about how to succeed using your God given talents and gifts.

I would like to let you know that I am the editor for the Kucetekela Foundation Mentors Newsletter and also the dormitory captain at my school. Many people have told me that I have great leadership qualities and can make a good leader. I usually ask people why they say this and the answers I get are that they can see a future leader from the way I carry myself, from the way I speak and from the way I do things with confidence. I feel very proud of myself when I hear this because it makes me feel good about myself as a person from a poor family.

I would like to return to my Kucetekela Foundation ever after I complete my secondary school. By being a mentor I would be paying back to the Foundation although not fully paying back because what K.F. has done for me cannot be described using words and there are no words that can express how much I thank the Foundation for everything single thing it has done for my family and me. Thank you very much Kucetekela Foundation!

Yours faithfully,

Edna A. Lungu

Kucetekela: Funny Name, Seriously Impactful

Troy Smith — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:59:20 GMT

Sitting in the cafeteria of Ibex Hill Secondary School, I found myself surrounded by ten apprehensive faces. I had already tried to make some light small talk, but the fact remained that I was the skinny white guy with the giant camera in their faces. Trying to get the ball rolling, I looked over at Iwell, who was lounged back in his seat, munching on a muffin.

“So, what do you think of the Kucetekela Foundation, Iwell? Just kind of explain what all they do for you.”

Iwell instantly sat up, raised his head and let out a bright, white grin.

“If I had to tell you what all the Kucetekela Foundation does for me, it would take the whole day if I had to say everything.”

On my three-day tour of KF, led by worker extraordinaire and crashing spot provider Libby Denniston, I saw an organization that is directly and completely transforming lives.

Started four years ago by American Oliver Barry, the Foundation provides private school scholarships (to three separate partner schools) to disadvantaged youth from the Greater Lusaka area. That is, of course, a very simplified definition. KF also provides a mentor program, constant staff support, tutoring, clothing, help with medical bills, work-study program, etc. etc. ETC.

These students have become the children of the Kucetekela Foundation. Just from my time with Libby, I could see that this former Princeton student has become another mother to these students.

Pulling them out of unbelievably dire circumstances, KF has been a saving grace for both the students and their families.

Penius wants to be an engineer. Now interning with Lusaka Toyota, it definitely seems that this intelligent, extremely well spoken kid is on the right track. However, he wouldn’t be at this point if it weren’t for KF.

Penius’ mother works as a maid and is a single-mother of three in Lusaka’s struggling Ng’ombe compound:

“Before the Kucetekela Foundation, I was doubting, and didn’t know where my child was going. There is no way to express how grateful I am. Without them I didn’t know what I’d do. Helping him is like helping the whole family. Nothing has been hard since being in their hands. They have taken me to where I couldn’t have gone on my own.”

School fees are becoming outrageously expensive for lower-income families in Zambia. Many children drop out after the seventh grade, because tuition and educational materials are simply too steep in price. Providing children with that monetary gift not only helps them to further themselves, but is also a huge financial relief for the families, who are often pinching pennies to get by.

Mercy, a Kucetekela student, was left with one blind guardian and six other children, after several members of her family died from AIDS. The scholarship, along with the mentor and staff support, has proven invaluable to her and her family.

It is important to mention that these children aren’t just attending school, they are excelling. In many of the grades, Kucetekela children are the top of the top.

As Florence Nkowane, director of the Kucetekela Foundation stated, “People are curious to see how kids from the slums can compete in boarding schools. How will they perform? Given the opportunities, we thought they were likely to do better, and clearly that is the case.”

Barry started the Foundation after seeing the dire circumstances and crowded classrooms of everyday public schools. Standards were through the floor, teachers were unreliable, and overall quality was just dismal. Some students were clever, but wouldn’t be able to continue.

According to Mrs. Nkowane, “If kids are continually stuck in this situation, Zambia will never develop and will be forced to rely solely on donor aid.”

Financial Officer Simasiku mirrored this statement, saying, “Education is the key to success and the development of our country.”

One of my last days in Lusaka, I saw Edson, who is number one in academics and a dominant athlete at Chalo Trust School, speak to a group of seventh graders at his former school. Completely calm and in control, he spoke about his mother’s death and his KF experience. Seeing a ninth grade student speak to a huge crowd of seventh graders with such ease is evidence of the Kucetekela Foundation’s effect.

However, the effect has been diminished. With the economic crisis, the amount of KF scholars has been greatly reduced, and the Foundation needs YOUR help.

“The Kucetekela Foundation goes deeper than just paying school fees, they gave us hope.” (Penius)

Troy Smith, a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is currently an In-the-Field traveler visiting GlobalGiving projects throughout Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania. Follow his trip at http://troygivesglobal.tumblr.com/.

Edna Lungu, Editor of KF Mentor Newsletter

Oliver M. Barry — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:16:01 GMT

May 18, 2010

Attached is the newly created Kucetekela Foundation Mentor Newsletter, which will be circulated among the students, mentors, families and partner schools in Zambia. The purpose of the newsletter is to inform its readers of the activities and news of the KF students.

Edna Lungu is the editor of the newsletter. She is obviously quite busy and productive in her spare time, clearly demonstrating a commendable interest in the KF program and in giving back to this program.

Attachments:

Kucetekela Foundation Mentor Newsletter (PDF)

Edna Lungu's Grade 9 Exam Results

Oliver M. Barry — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:49:01 GMT

March 9, 2010

In November 2009, ten Grade 9 students sponsored by Kucetekela Foundation (KF) took the Grade 9 Zambian National Examination. This national examination is taken by all students in Zambia, both in government and private schools at the end of Grade 9. The primary purpose of the examination is to stratify and place government school students at secondary schools. Although secondary school in Zambia begins in Grade 8, many government primary schools include Grade 8 and Grade 9 classes. In Zambia, there are fewer places in government secondary schools than applicants. Therefore, the Grade 9 examination results determines whether or not a student is offered a place in a government secondary school by setting a “pass/fail” mark based on the number of available positions. Additionally, the results of the Grade 9 examination determine at which secondary school each student is offered a place.

In the case of the KF scholars, because they attend a private school, the results of this national examination are helpful to evaluate their achievement in comparison to their classmates and peers at government schools. Our partner schools also use the Grade 9 examination results to gauge the quality of their school’s education in comparison to their government school counterparts. In 2009, there were 10 KF scholars who took the exam; 5 students from Ibex Hill Secondary School, 3 students from Chalo Trust Secondary School and 2 students from Leopards Hill Secondary School.

We are extremely proud to share with you the results for the KF students. We have summarized the examination information below. Enclosed please find the individual score report for your sponsored student.

School Results (All Students):

 National Examination passing mark: 324 (girls) 355 (boys) [out of 600 points]

 Chalo Trust Secondary School o Average score = 330 o Highest score = 488* (KF scholar)

 Ibex Hill Secondary School o Average score = 320 o Highest score = 510

 Leopards Hill Secondary School o Average score = 325 o Highest score = 508* (KF scholar)

KF Scholar Results:

 KF students earned the highest score at both Chalo Trust Secondary School and Leopards Hill Secondary School o Justin Mushitu (exam score = 488) – Chalo Trust Secondary School o Bwalya Kasanda (exam score = 508) – Leopards Hill Secondary School

 KF students earned the top 2 scores at Leopards Hill Secondary School (out of 21 students)

 100% passing rate

 Average score = 458

Congratulations to all the KF students for an excellent performance in their Grade Nine exams. Thank you very much for your continued support of KF and these outstanding students.

Sincerely,

Florence Nkowane Executive Director & Co-Founder

Attachments:

Edna Lungu's Grade 9 Exam Results (PDF)