How Amos Youth Centre is Making High School Graduation Possible in Rural Communities
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.
The Amos Youth Centre (AYC) Rural Outreach Programme, established in 2010, provides the most marginalized girls and boys from the fishing village of Chanyanya with access to secondary education, nutrition programming, mental health counseling, career guidance, and health services through our Learning & Leadership Centre in Kafue, Zambia.
Chanyanyna is located some 25 km from Kafue along the riverbank. In this remote fishing village secondary school stops at Grade 9. Poverty often forces young girls into early marriage and boys also face limited opportunities, with many ending up as fishermen and farmers. Our Rural Outreach Programme is making it possible for the students in Chanyana to finish high school. Through this initiative, the students are given accommodation near Kafue’s secondary schools, food, and a stipend. Students from Chanyanya are usually the first in their families to graduate from high school and, in many cases, go on to pursue tertiary education. To date, more than 60 students have benefited from this life-changing initiative at Amos Youth Centre.
Emmanuel’s Story
In 2015, 17‑year‑old Emmanuel unlocked his “door of hope” when he passed his Grade 7 exams. Emmanuel’s good grades and dedication to his educational journey made him an ideal candidate for AYC’s Rural Outreach Programme. After being recommended for the program by his teachers, Emmanuel applied for the scholarship and was accepted.
Emmanuel is enjoying his time at University.
Through the Rural Outreach Programme, AYC placed him at Chikupi Secondary School, over 10 km away from his home, where he cycled each day on a bicycle donated by a World Bicycle Relief, in partnership with World Vision. World Bicycle Relief empowers young people in remote villages by providing bicycles, easing their commute and promoting accessibility to education. Each year, bicycles are donated, and upon graduation, they're often passed on to another student in need, creating a sustainable cycle of support. Twice a week, Emmanuel rode his bicycle an additional 10 kilometers to AYC to learn and participate in the Centre’s activities, including tutoring in math and science, and participating in clubs like Reproductive Health, Spelling Bee, Leadership, and Creative Club.
At Chikupi Secondary School, there were seven teachers for a total number of 300 students, and each class had nearly 60 students per class, which meant that Emmanuel did not receive the individualized support and guidance that he needed to thrive. Emmanuel credits AYC’s afternoon tutoring sessions in Mathematics, English, and Science for helping him to excel in school. He thrived in the leadership and reproductive health clubs, developing the confidence and skills that define him today.
“I enjoyed attending the Leadership Club and the Reproductive Health Club. The two clubs helped me to build my self-esteem and learn how to become a leader. Everything that I know is thanks to AYC.”
Emmanuel and his fellow Facilitator Interns at AYC.
Emmanuel leads a session at AYC.
Emmanuel, who is one of seven siblings, is the second person in his family to complete high school. After graduating high school, students who receive a scholarship through AYC’s College Scholarship Fund are required to complete one year of volunteer service at the Centre through the College Prep Program.
Emmanuel received his AYC scholarship for college and spent the year volunteering as a tutor, interning in the administrative office, cooking meals for the feeding program, and caring for the community gardens. Emmanuel also had to work to support his family while volunteering at AYC. By day, he taught Grade 10 Mathematics to his younger peers at AYC and by night, he patrolled local businesses working as a security guard, demonstrating remarkable dedication to both family and community.
Growing as a Peer Mentor
In 2021, AYC partnered with the gold-youth Development Agency to expand their peer education in the community. The gold-youth model is based on the reality that many people make changes not only based on what they know, but on the opinions and actions of their trusted peers. Peer Educators can communicate and understand in a way that adults can’t and they can serve as role models for change
The gold-youth model provides job creation opportunities for young people who want to work as “Facilitator Interns”. These Facilitator Interns train and mentor future Peer Educators. Emmanuel became one of AYC’s first Facilitator Intern’s for the gold-youth program and thanks to the work of Emmanuel and his peers, we have reached over 4,000 youth through peer education. With the stipend he receives as a Facilitator Intern.
Looking Ahead
Today, Emmanuel is in his third year at Chreso University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Counselling. Guided by AYC’s Director of Academics & Scholarships, Ceasar Samwaka, he chose this career path because of its alignment with his passions and strengths.
Reflecting on his journey, Emmanuel attributes his success to the unwavering support of AYC staff and teachers who believed in him. His advice to other AYC students is simple: “Embrace every opportunity, give back wholeheartedly, and let your journey inspire others.”
Join Us in Empowering More Students Like Emmanuel
Emmanuel’s story is just one example of how the Rural Outreach Programme transforms lives. Your support—whether through sponsorship, mentorship, or advocacy—helps us open more doors of hope for Zambia’s most vulnerable youth. Together, we can ensure that many more students like Emmanuel become leaders of tomorrow.
