From Young Learner to First-Generation College Student: The Story of Grace
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.
Grace and her mentor, Clement Mwanza, AYC’s Academics & Scholarships Manager.
When Grace first came to the Amos Youth Centre (AYC) in 2017, she was a shy Grade 6 learner simply looking for a place where she could improve her studies. A friend had told her about the free tutoring classes and the Spelling Bee Club, and with her family struggling financially, the possibility of educational sponsorship gave her hope.
“I was very shy and didn’t interact much,” Grace recalls. “A friend told me about AYC, and I decided to come.”
Today, Grace is preparing to begin a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Education at Chalimbana University, becoming the first person in her family to attend college. Her journey is one of resilience, opportunity, and purpose; one that she never imagined.
Growing Through Opportunity
Before joining AYC, life was not easy. Grace struggled with Mathematics and lacked a safe, interactive environment where she could learn alongside other young people. At home, financial challenges weighed heavily on her family. Her mother sold goods by the roadside to support Grace, her two siblings and their grandfather, making it difficult to consistently afford school fees. Before free education was introduced and made law in Zambia, school fees were mandatory, and only a few could afford them.
“I am very proud to see my granddaughter go to college. It is a dream come true not just for her but for the entire family. She is going to be the first of my granddaughters to go to college. I am very happy.”
At AYC, she immersed herself in the Spelling Bee Club and Leadership Club, where she discovered a love for learning, built friendships and developed confidence.
“I enjoyed English and loved reading novels,” she says. “The Leadership Club was fun and interactive. The Academic Programme helped me improve my grades. I stopped performing poorly and started doing extremely well.”
One of Grace’s happiest memories at AYC wasn’t inside a classroom at all. It was her first educational trip to the Lusaka Showgrounds. Grace shared, “I had never travelled outside of Lusaka before. Going to the Showgrounds made one of my dreams come true.”
Experiences like these broadened her perspective and showed her that there was a much bigger world waiting beyond her community. AYC also gave her something even more valuable: confidence. She became comfortable speaking in public and began to truly believe in herself.
Grace enjoyed cooking meals at AYC.
Giving Back Before Moving Forward
After completing high school, Grace chose to spend a year serving the very organisation that had helped shape her life.
In 2024, she taught Civic Education, English, Science and Social Studies to learners in Grades 7, 9, 11 and 12. She also facilitated the Spelling Bee and Leadership Clubs. In 2025, she joined AYC’s Nutrition Programme team, helping prepare the very meals she had once benefited from. Her time as a volunteer completely changed how she viewed education.
“I learned what teachers and leaders go through every day. I realised the work wasn’t as easy as I had once thought.”
Serving others strengthened her leadership skills, taught her patience and gave her an even greater appreciation for the people who had invested in her journey.
Preparing for College
As Grace prepares for university, she joined AYC’s College Prep Programme, a one-year mandatory class where she has gained practical knowledge that will help make higher education feel less overwhelming.
She has learned how to choose the right college, how to manage stress, prepare for lectures and understand the realities of university life before stepping onto campus.
“The class has prepared me for the hardships I might face. I feel ready for college. The session on taking lecture notes really helped me. I wondered how I would manage all the slides, but I have learned practical ways to succeed.”
The Mental Health sessions went even deeper, helping Grace understand herself before stepping into this new chapter of her life
“The mental health sessions helped me discover myself. I learned what triggers my stress and how to manage it. Anything is possible. Have a vision, stay focused, work hard and believe in yourself.”
Along the way, Grace also gained a mentor who walked her through some challenges she encountered in deciding which university to go to and how to go about applying. Clement Mwanza, AYC’s Manager of Academics & Scholarships, mentored Grace through this process.
“I first interacted with Grace when she was in grade Ten, and I have had the privilege to see her grow throughout the years. I have taught her in the College Prep Program and now helped her choose the best university for her to pursue her dreams. I am happy to be a part of her career path. Grace is a very determined young woman and very open to learning new things,” Clement shared.
Discovering Her Passion at the Urban Farm
Although Grace had always loved nature, it wasn’t until she attended the three-week intensive training at AYC’s Urban Farming & Permaculture Learning Space in 2025 that she realised agriculture could become her career.
Grace enjoyed learning at AYC’s Urban Farming & Permaculture Learning Space.
The hands-on training opened her eyes to sustainable farming practices she had never imagined. She learned how to make compost, discovered different gardening methods and realised that growing food does not require large pieces of land.
“I didn’t know I could make my own compost. I also learned there are many ways to garden, even in small spaces.”
Over three weeks, something remarkable happened.
“I realised this is what I want to do for a very long time. I want to study something that I love. I loved getting my hands dirty growing food.”
Working with vermicompost, learning about soil health, and spending time in the garden gave Grace practical experience that confirmed her decision to pursue Agricultural Science.
She believes the training she received has already given her a strong foundation before beginning university and that it prepared her for college.
Breaking New Ground
Being the first member of her family to attend college carries both excitement and responsibility. Her family could not be prouder.
“It hasn't been easy, but I am so happy and excited. My mother and sister are very excited; I am making them proud.”
Grace also knows younger eyes are watching her journey closely. While the responsibility can feel heavy, she embraces it wholeheartedly.
“My younger brother now believes he can also go to university. It gives him hope. Everyone is looking up to me now, so I cannot fail. I have to graduate and make them proud.”
Grace dreams of owning a farm, raising livestock and growing crops that contribute to Zambia’s food security. More importantly, she hopes to bring everything she learns back home to Kafue. She believes agriculture has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities.
“AYC is a home away from home. It’s a place where we get inspired.”
From a shy Grade 6 learner searching for academic support to a confident first-generation college student preparing to study Agricultural Science, Grace’s story shows what becomes possible when opportunity meets determination.