Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Sponsoring a Zambian Student

Helping Young People to Continue at School

Link: Blog de Fundación Livingstone en español

In Zambia high school is not free. Young people who finish primary school have a difficult choice; to continue on to secondary or to stay at home to help with the little ones and with work that must be done in the village. Although many times they often have no option other than to stay home because they because they are orphans with no one to cover the school costs or because their family needs their help.

But to get out of the cycle of poverty and in order for development to occur in their villages, hese young people must be able to continue with their schooling. UNHCR proposes eight reasons for these children to continue at school. With your help as sponsors, going to school becomes reality for for these boys and girls.

Blessing Zimba has been sponsored for two years now thanks to families in Valencia! He is the second of seven children and his parents work hard at their small farm trying to support all of their children. Blessing is very grateful for the support he is receiving from his "families" in Valencia! Without their help he would have had to stay on the farm and would have never received any education after primary school. Thank you!!

Geoffrey was also grateful to have found a sponsor through Livingstone Foundation and Project Luangwa. His "family" in Valencia makes it possible for him to attend secondary school. He also knows that someone beyond the borders of his small village in Zambia cares about him and wishes him well. It is not only our financial support that means something to these children, but also the fact that we care about their lives and their futures.


We met these two girls on our first trip to Zambia. Karen from Project Luangwa was very involved in finding sponsors for them and making sure they have safe housing at Mfuwe Secondary School. They were nearing the end of their studies! Success and a brighter future await them, thanks to their sponsors!

We take for granted our secondary education, but for these boys it is an amazing opportunity. Many of these children would be back at the farm, caring for their elders or baby brothers and sisters, planting crops and grinding grain for their meals. Thanks to sponsors who care they now have a chance to study, to learn more and to break the cycle of poverty that holds their communities back.


Several years ago Ethan's family in Valencia offered to help Andrew with his studies through Livingstone Foundation and Project Luangwa. Andrew now has an opportunity to study and decide his own future, thanks to support from Ethan's family. And Ethan has the chance to learn about life in a small rural town in Africa and to meet Andrew through the letters they exchange!
Boyd Kamanga has been our sponsored student since we began working with Project Luangwa three years ago. I was lucky to be able to see him on a recent trip to Zambia. I took a book for him and our other boys. Boyd wrote in one of his letter to us later: 

"I thank you very much for the gift of a book. You know reading books is so good beacuase it makes one improve his or her grammar. I'm so happy about that novel What the Day Owes the Night, and I am enjoying so much the story by Yasmina Kahdra. I'm reading it again and again to understand the story better. It is great and fantastic and I really enjoy it!"


It is rewarding to help others and these young people are so appreciative of the chance to continue their studies. 

If you are interested in helping out with sponsorship, please contact us!

livingstonefoundationforafrica@gmail.com

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