The Ripple Effect: How AYC Changed Munambeza's Life

By Annabel Mumba
Annabel Mumba is AYC’s Donor Relations Coordinator in Zambia. She is a Scholarship Fund recipient, high school graduate and current college student, and also one of our Success Stories.

Co-written by Pamela O’Brien, African Education Program’s Development Director, who is mentoring Annabel as she pursues a journalism degree.

Munambeza graduated from the University of Zambia.

Munambeza's story exemplifies the transformative impact that Amos Youth Centre (AYC) has had on the lives of countless young people in Kafue, Zambia. As one of AYC's earliest alumni, her journey from a vulnerable student facing a potential school dropout to a university graduate and community mentor showcases the Centre's profound influence. 

Munambeza's success story highlights not only personal triumph over adversity but also demonstrates how AYC's support through the Learning & Leadership Center creates a ripple effect of positive change in the broader community.

Early Life and Challenges

Munambeza grew up in a family of six children as the second youngest sibling. Her early life was marked by significant hardship when her father passed away in 2008 when she was just 13 years old. This tragic loss left her mother as the sole provider for the family, creating immense financial strain. Without formal employment, Munambeza's mother sold fish by the roadside to sustain the family's livelihood, a noble but precarious means of support for a household with multiple school-aged children.

Despite these challenges, Munambeza maintained her educational journey, beginning at Nangongwe Primary School in 2002, where she completed her 7th-grade certificate. She continued at the same institution for grades eight and nine, demonstrating remarkable perseverance. However, as she advanced to secondary education at Kafue Day Secondary School, the financial burdens threatened to derail her educational aspirations. At that time, before the introduction of free education in Zambia, it was mandatory to pay secondary school fees, creating an additional obstacle for Munambeza's family. Without consistent financial support, Munambeza faced the very real possibility of becoming a school dropout, a fate that would have drastically altered her prospects.

The AYC Nutrition Program is an important part of the holistic programming at the Centre.

The AYC Turning Point

In 2011, while in 10th grade at Kafue Day Secondary School, a pivotal moment occurred in Munambeza's life when she joined Amos Youth Centre after learning about it from a friend already benefiting from the organization's holistic programs. This decision would prove to be life-changing. AYC stepped in when Munambeza needed support most, providing educational sponsorship that enabled her to continue her schooling without interruption. 

One of Munambeza's most cherished memories of AYC revolves around what she and her friends affectionately called "life-saving meals." She vividly recalls walking from Kafue Day Secondary School to Amos Youth Centre on hot days, hungry and exhausted, only to find nourishment waiting at the Centre. These meals—consisting of nshima (a carbohydrate-rich stiff porridge that is a staple food in Zambia), protein, and fresh vegetables—did more than satisfy immediate hunger.  They represented the comprehensive support system that AYC created for vulnerable young people like Munambeza, addressing both their immediate physical needs and long-term educational goals.

Today, AYC's feeding program has expanded significantly, currently serving an average of 345 meals every day to children and youth in the community. This nutritional support remains a cornerstone of the Centre's holistic approach to youth development, recognizing that proper nourishment is essential for educational success.

With AYC's support, Munambeza successfully completed her secondary education, obtaining her Grade 12 certificate from Kafue Day Secondary School in 2013. This achievement marked just the beginning of her educational journey—one that might never have continued without AYC's intervention.

Higher Education and Professional Development

Munambeza's connection with AYC created a foundation strong enough to support her ambitions beyond secondary education. After completing two years in AYC’s College Prep Program and giving back to the Centre, in 2015, she achieved what might have once seemed impossible by enrolling at the prestigious University of Zambia. Though she had initially dreamed of becoming a teacher, her educational path led her toward public administration, a field where she could impact community systems and policies.

Through continued dedication to her studies, Munambeza graduated in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in Public Administration. This remarkable achievement represents not just personal success but a complete transformation of her life prospects. From a young girl at risk of dropping out of school due to financial constraints, she had become a university graduate prepared to contribute to her society in meaningful ways.

Following her graduation, Munambeza secured an internship position at Kafue Town Council, where she currently works. This professional role allows her to gain valuable experience in local governance and community development, building on the foundation of resilience and determination that defined her earlier years.

Munambeza has fond memories of the College Prep Program at AYC.

Giving Back: Munambeza's Community Impact

Perhaps the most powerful testament to AYC's influence is evident in how Munambeza has chosen to live her life beyond the Centre. Rather than simply focusing on her own advancement, she has embraced the opportunity to create positive change for others facing similar challenges to those she once experienced.

During her free time, Munambeza actively engages with young people in her community through her church, offering guidance and support with schoolwork, social life challenges, and sexual and reproductive health education. She approaches this volunteer work with deep understanding and empathy, recognizing from personal experience the critical importance of mentorship and positive role models in a young person's development. For Munambeza, this community service represents an essential way of "giving back" and continuing the cycle of support that AYC initiated in her own life.

Her dream of creating "an environment suitable for everyone, especially young people”, reflects the values instilled during her time at AYC. Having experienced firsthand what it means to lack necessities and opportunities, Munambeza possesses a unique capacity for empathy and a genuine drive to help others overcome similar obstacles.

Legacy of Resilience

Munambeza's journey exemplifies the enduring impact that organizations like Amos Youth Centre can have on individual lives and entire communities. From receiving vital support during her formative years to becoming a provider of support for others, she embodies the transformative power of targeted intervention and consistent mentorship.