Alumni Spotlight: Maureen - From a Rural Fishing Village to the University of Albany – Her Story Continues
By Annabel Mumba
Annabel Mumba is AYC’s Donor Relations Coordinator. She is a Scholarship Fund recipient, and a graduate of Mulungushi University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Journalism), and also one of our Success Stories.
Co-written by Pamela O’Brien, African Education Program’s Development Director, who is mentoring Annabel.
In 2022, through a partnership between the African Education Program and SUNY Schenectady County Community College, two students from the Amos Youth Centre (AYC) received scholarships to study in New York. Maureen was one of eleven students in AYC’s College Prep Program who applied for SUNY Schenectady’s Joan R. Dembinski ’10 Study Abroad Scholarship, a full award covering a two-year diploma.
A determined young woman from the rural fishing village of Chanyanya in Zambia, Maureen was selected for this life-changing opportunity. While it was a dream come true, it was also a frightening leap into the unknown.
Chanyanya is a rural “fisherman’s” village.
Growing Up in a Rural Village
Maureen was born and raised Chanyanya, a rural village located near the Kafue River approximately 16 miles from Kafue that is and known for its fishing and farming. In this ‘fisherman’s village’, there aren’t many opportunities for girls and oftentimes young girls are married off to men old enough to be their fathers or grandfathers. This marks an end to their dreams and aspirations in life.
The Kafue River near Chanyanya.
Maureen was raised by a single mother with four children, facing significant financial barriers to education. Through AYC’s Rural Outreach Program, she was able to attend school without the burden of mandatory fees at that time. After successfully passing her Grade 7 exams, she earned a scholarship in 2016 to continue her secondary education. The Rural Outreach Program was designed to support the most marginalized girls and boys from Chanyanya by giving them access to high school and holistic programs at AYC’s Learning & Leadership Centre. In Chanyanya, formal education typically ends after Grade 9 unless families can afford to send their children to school in Kafue.
Life in New York
Fast forward to today. Maureen graduated from SUNY Schenectady County Community College (SSCCC) with an Associate's degree in Business Administration and is now pursuing a Bachelor of Accounting degree at the University at Albany, the State University of New York. But the path between then and now wasn't the smooth success story many might imagine.
“I am scared of disappointing my family and AYC,” she had shared at the time. “The two have always given me hope and confidence to go after my dreams. And I want to make them proud.”
The biggest turning point came on graduation day itself. Maureen was the SSCCC 2024 Student Keynote Speaker. In her speech, she gave a reflective message about her journey as a student at SUNY Schenectady where she received intellectual and personal growth. "That moment made me realize there was no time to waste and that hard work was necessary," Maureen reflected. The easier path was tempting: stay comfortable and celebrate the achievement. Instead, she chose the harder road.
She took a job as a Revenue Auditor at Rivers Casino and Resorts Schenectady, working long hours to save money for her continued education. Maureen wanted to continue her university studies in the U.S. and to be able to do that, she had to work to raise her tuition fees and other expenses. The transition was jarring.
She shared, "Entering the workforce was very different from being a student. I had to leave student life behind and shift my focus toward what would benefit me in the long term."
Student life had felt softer, more structured. Now every decision requires careful thought. Every tick of the clock mattered.
Maureen was the student keynote speaker at SUNY Schenectady’s graduation.
The Challenges Along the Way - Anxiety and Self-Doubt
Transitioning to the University at Albany brought new struggles. Maureen faced anxiety and self-doubt, especially when adjusting to higher academic expectations as an international student. There were moments when she questioned her abilities and wondered if she belonged or if she could keep up.
"There were moments when I questioned my abilities, but I pushed through by believing in myself and trusting in God," she shared. "My faith gave me strength during difficult times and reminded me that challenges are not meant to stop me, but to shape me."
It was during these difficult moments that the foundation AYC had built in her, starting from eighth grade through high school, became her anchor. The mentorship she received, particularly from Lumuno Mweemba, AYC’s Co-Founder and Director of Programs, had prepared her for more than just academics.
Lumuno met Maureen when she was in 10th grade, and she had this to share. “I met Maureen when she joined Amos Youth Centre through the Rural Outreach Program. From the beginning, she was curious, engaged, and eager to learn. As I spent more time with her, her passion and determination stood out; she was always asking questions and exploring new ideas. It is no surprise to see her now pursuing higher education. Maureen is a determined young woman, and I truly believe she will achieve her goals.”
Maureen stands proudly in front of University at Albany.
Through AYC's College Prep Program as a high school graduate, Maureen learned critical lessons on how to handle stress, navigate college life, and manage her mental health. The discipline, the values, the belief that she was capable of more, all of it became the framework she leaned on when self-doubt crept in.
Maureen applied for the President's Fellowship Program at the University at Albany in her first semester, a highly competitive and prestigious leadership development program that selects only two undergraduate transfer students each year from many applicants.
She was chosen.
As a President's Fellow, Maureen now spends time with the University President and their Chief of Staff, learning about leadership, higher education administration, and strategic management, core skills she needs in her career growth. She participates in professional development events focused on leadership development, policy research, networking, and community service, and works on individual capstone projects.
"Being a President's Fellow has helped me grow in confidence and leadership," Maureen said. "Through this experience, I have learned that perseverance, faith, and self-belief can turn obstacles into opportunities."
Looking Ahead - Grounded in Purpose
When asked about the future, Maureen speaks with humility. "I recognize that life is unpredictable, but I trust that I will be a graduate, steadily working toward what truly matters," she shared. Rather than focusing on fixed titles or outcomes, she hopes to continue building a meaningful path grounded in purpose, growth, and service.
Her goals are clear: complete her degree, strengthen her leadership and mentorship skills, and deepen her understanding of the accounting profession—not just through coursework, but by understanding how it serves organizations and communities.
But perhaps what stands out most is her commitment to giving back.
"Everything I do is connected to mentorship and giving back," Maureen said. "I dream of becoming a source of hope and encouragement for younger peers in Zambia."
While she cannot make promises about the future, the vision of returning home to support and guide others has always been close to her heart. She hopes to inspire young people to believe in themselves, pursue education, and embrace opportunities—just as she has been encouraged throughout her journey.
Maureen stands next to the university mascot.
A Message to Her Peers and Students at AYC
If Maureen could share one message with current AYC students at the Learning & Leadership Centre, it would be this: "You are loved, valued, and capable of achieving great things. Do not allow doubt, whether from yourself or others, to limit your potential. Believe in who you are becoming, stay disciplined, and remain open to guidance. Trust in God, because faith will be required when the journey becomes challenging. Growth is not always easy, but with perseverance, support, and belief in yourself, what once felt impossible can become achievable."
It is amazing to see how hope, determination, and support can change a person’s life. Once a girl from the fisherman’s village of Chanyanya, a fisherman’s village, who feared disappointing everyone, Maureen is now standing as proof that the investment AYC makes in its students ripples far beyond Kafue, shaping leaders who will one day lift others.