Secondary student pumping water for the village children.

My visit to six African countries has reinforced my belief, that the best present a kid could ever receive is an education. My parents, especially my mother, sacrificed many things for my sisters and I growing up, but they never cut corners when it came to their children’s education. Mom responded to our moaning about wearing hand me downs with, “it’s an investment in your future,” something my siblings and I couldn’t fully appreciate until we saw the doors it opened for us years later.

Secondary students pumping their water for drinking and washing.

I visited many schools and projects across Africa that I’ve written about, and need support.  One real stand out, is the work that Andy Hogg, the owner of The Bushcamp Company is doing in Mfuwe, Zambia. He has hired Lisa Gower to run the company’s conservation and community projects. Lisa formerly worked with the local primary school to oversee the community projects, schools and sponsorships of deserving children.

Girls at the Mfuwe Day Secondary School.

Container of desks from a school in the UK.

Primary education in Zambia is free to students, however the uniform, sometimes the food and the commute which aren’t included and can be cost prohibitive for the family.  Believe it or not, it is just $50 per year to sponsor a primary student.  Lisa arranges it all, will send you progress reports, pictures and letters a couple times per year.  Secondary school however, is optional and therefore tuition is required—most kids won’t make it this far in large part due to the inability to cover the fees.

Primary school student.

As Lisa guided us through the boarder’s dorms, the crowded classrooms and the open cafeteria (for boarders only), it came to me…what better way to honor my mom on her birthday, than give her something that she believes so strongly in?

Mfuwe Day Secondary School class in session.

Lisa set to the task of helping me select a child deserving of the chance. As you can imagine, there were more than one.  As I sifted through the letters,  you read of hardships no kid should ever face. The number of times I read “double orphan” was staggering.

Teacher bringing muffins to her class.

Then Lisa sent me Joseph Banda’s story. The Head Teacher of Mfuwe Day Secondary School reached out to Lisa to recommend that Joseph, a 21 year old who was forced to quit school after grade eight so that he could help support his family (he is one of nine children), receive sponsorship. Joseph wanted to go back and receive his secondary school diploma. A family member was able to sponsor him through term one of grade 10. He was excelling, but his family couldn’t afford any further education fees. Ultimately, I decided that my mother would sponsor Joseph to complete his high school education. To give you an idea of how little it takes to give someone a chance, his schooling, supplies (from toothpaste to notebooks) for term two of grade 10, full year 2013 (grade 11) and FY2014 (grade 12) is $752 USD.

Mfuwe Day Secondary School boarding students.

Over 100 male students board in this dormitory.

The Bushcamp Company is a great model of luxury with a conscience. A guest doesn’t have to visit the school or even donate, but The Bushcamp Company takes it upon themselves to employ locals and give back to the local community. If you do decide to donate or sponsor a child, a little goes a long way and the trustworthy, enthusiastic Lisa is there to help you navigate.

Lisa (right, middle row) and girls from the school.

Other great companies, like Tongabezi, (Zambia, Livingston area), &Beyond (Kenya, South Africa and everywhere in Africa and India they operate), Azura (Mozambique), OneLife Africa (Kenya) and African Bushcamps (Botswana and Zimbabwe) can also set up sponsorships in other African countries.

Primary students at Azura’s school project, Mozambique.

Happy birthday, Mom. Thank you for giving me the chance, and Joseph’s note is on the way.