Sponsor Hope for Vulnerable Zambian Children

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...

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.

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 r...