Empowered to Lead: Mastercard Foundation Associates Make Their Mark at Read for Rose Special Education Program

1 Aug

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.

It’s graduation day at Read for Rose, the Amos Youth Centre’s Special Education Program. Forty students ages 5-24 wait patiently as the six Read for Rose Special Education Program Teachers hand out certificates such as “best green thumb”, “most selfless and brave”, and, “youngest reader”. Every child is recognized for their unique skills and the improvements they’ve made in their education and learning over the last year.

A group of differently-abled students pose for a photo at the Read for Rose Special Education Program in Kafue, Zambia — *The Read for Rose Special Education Program at the Amos Youth Centre’s Learning & Leadership Center in Kafue, Zambia.*

This is the first graduation ceremony in Read for Rose’s five years of operations. Special Education Director, Febby Choombe, credits the four Mastercard Foundation Associates who joined the program last year with making the graduation possible.

Esther, Joy, Daniel, and Likozi are all Mastercard Foundation Associates who have been gaining leadership and technical skills at Read for Rose over the past year. The Amos Youth Centre and Read for Rose partnered with the Mastercard Foundation Associates Program for the first time in 2024. This is a 12-month program designed to provide young people with a one-year high-quality work placement where they can gain experience in their desired profession.

Esther, Joy, Daniel, and Likozi recently completed their one-year work experience with Read for Rose. Learn more about these young leaders:

Esther wears a blue shirt and stands in front of a classroom teaching sign language to several Zambian students. — *Esther (R) teaches sign language at the Read for Rose Special Education Program.*

Esther: Bridging Communication Gaps with Sign Language

Esther, a trained nurse who received her degree from Kafue College of Nursing, discovered her passion for sign language after recognizing a significant communication gap in her community of Kafue and is now certified in Zambian Sign Language. As a Mastercard Foundation Associate, Esther was responsible for interpreting all classes and sessions for the 18 students who use sign language at Read for Rose. "The children who were deaf or hearing impaired had limited sign language," Esther shared, "but now they can spell their names, they know the alphabet, and they can engage in basic communication with their friends and family."

Esther was also instrumental in growing the weekly sign language class for parents. Esther is particularly proud of her experience with one mother who has three children who are deaf. “Through the sign language class for parents the mother has learned and mastered sign language, which has significantly strengthened her relationship with her children,” says Esther.

Joy sits on the floor and plays a game with a handful of young Zambian students who are eagerly engaged. — *Joy plays a game at the Read for Rose Special Education Program.*

Joy: A Passion for Special Education and Students with Autism

Joy, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Kwame Nkrumah University, was responsible for teaching the youngest students at Read for Rose, those aged 4-11. Joy’s classroom was made up of students with a wide range of unique needs, including children with autism, Down Syndrome, hearing impairments, and physical disabilities.

“Students with autism often present as hyperactive and can struggle with attention,” says Joy. Using the skills she learned through her special education degree, Joy successfully taught even those children with severe autism to pay attention, sit still in class, and concentrate. She incorporated music and dance into her lessons to help the children learn their own names and the names of their classmates.

"After this internship," she shares, "I will walk out as an experienced special education teacher who truly understands that disability does not mean inability.”

Daniel wears a brightly colored checked shirt and sits at a table with a young blind student wearing a blue shirt. — *Daniel has a one-on-one tutoring session with a student in braiile.*

Daniel: Meeting the Unique Learning Needs of Each Student

Daniel, a graduate of the University of Zambia with a Bachelor of Education in Mathematics and Special Education, gained first-time hands-on classroom experience at the Read for Rose Special Education Program. During his time as a Mastercard Foundation Associate he taught secondary students from Grade 7 to 12, covering subjects including biology, physics, chemistry, math, and geography. His lessons often involved dedicated one-on-one sessions allowing him to provide instruction tailored to each student's learning needs.

"The future is open for me because of the experience and skills I have gained," Daniel said, reflecting on his journey. "I am grateful to Read for Rose and the Mastercard Foundation for providing young people like me with the opportunity to grow and succeed.”

Likozi is a young lady wearing a black dress and pointing to the blackboard for a young Zambian boy who is learning sign language.

Likozi: Empowering Students Through Practical Life Skills

Likozi, a trained tailor, brought a unique blend of skills to the Read for Rose Special Education Program. With a Bachelor of Education in Special Education from Kwame Nkrumah University she was able to provide the students with academic knowledge and practical skills. During her time as a Mastercard Foundation Associate Likozi taught the students how to knit doormats, empowering these students with a marketable craft that can generate sustainable income.

In the classroom, Likozi taught Math, Science, Social Studies, and English to students in Grades 1 to 6. She says one of her proudest teaching moments was working with Peter, a student with a learning disability. Through Likozi’s class, Peter has learned basic English words and has become more confident in reading and spelling.

She shared, "I came here (to Read for Rose) not knowing sign language – and now I am comfortable using it. I was not confident standing in front of a class – now I am more comfortable with public speaking."

Read for Rose Special Education Program Director, Febby Choombe, says that through the support of the Mastercard Foundation Associates Program, the special education program was able to accept more students this year than ever before and she has seen a significant improvement in the students’ language skills. “Today we have eight children in secondary school with five in boarding school (compared to only two students last year),” says Febby. “The extra support and teachers we had this year made it possible for these additional students to pass their exams and qualify for boarding school.”