Sponsoring a university student in Zambia via the charity African Impact Foundation, has been an eye-opening experience for the HB team. Gertrude is studying for her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance at Chalimbana University in Zambia. She took time away from her studies to join a conference call with us and the charity team to tell us more about her studies and her life..
Gertrude’s life is so different to life in the UK. What struck us most was the simplicity of her life and how grateful she is for everything around her. We feel it’s a lesson we should take from Gertrude. It made us even more determined to continue the sponsorship and help Gertrude complete her degree and realise her ambition to become an accountant and one day, a CFO. Not only will this change Gertrude’s life, it will help her family and her village.
In fact, this response from Gertrude sums up her honest attitude best of all.
“What puts a smile on your face?” “Being in school and being alive.”
A perfect answer.
Here are just a few snippets from our conversation with Gertrude.
We asked Gertrude about her typical day. Here’s what she told us.
“Normally, I’m at university for three months and then have a one month holiday. I try to go home to see my family as I miss them so much but this is not always possible.
A typical day for me is when I wake up, I make my bed first and say a grateful prayer. Later on, I shower and then attend classes. After classes, I prepare something to eat. Then later on, I study and yeah, that’s how the day ends.”
We asked Gertrude about her favourite food. “I enjoy chicken and nsima.” We had to look this up: nsima is a thick porridge main dish prepared from corn flour. You can eat Nsima with stew for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and a staple carbohydrate in this part of Africa.
Could you or your business sponsor a young person in Africa?
Gertrude told us about her friends from her home village. Some received scholarships to continue their studies whilst others are still waiting. If this is of interest, please consider talking to the African Impact Foundation who can find students who would benefit from the help.
Carol, an education liaison officer, explained more. “We start sponsorships from as early as primary school, that they receive through secondary school, and then onto tertiary level education. We go into local schools and the teachers identify those children who are vulnerable and who are not able to go to school without financial help. Remember, families have to pay for education in Zambia.
As well as sourcing sponsorships, the charity also supplies mentors for the children. Gertrude, for example, has someone to call if she needs any help with any aspect of university life or being away from home.
To end the call, we talked about the possibility of visiting Zambia. It’s a lovely place known for its game parks and of course, Gertrude’s top recommendation, the Victoria Falls.If you weren’t aware, the Victoria Falls is a waterfall on the Zambezi River, located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is one of the world’s largest waterfalls, an impressive 1,708 m. wide. The falls were named by Scottish missionary David Livingstone in 1855, who called them Victoria Falls after Queen Victoria.
Keen to find out more? Feel free to contact HB Director Keith Grover or visit the African Impact Foundation.
For more information about all the ways HB goes above and beyond for you, your company and our community, contact the team at HB Accountants. We’re here to help.
The information contained above is for general guidance purposes only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the contents are accurate, please note that each individual has different circumstances and it is essential that you seek appropriate professional advice before you act on any of the information contained herein. HB Accountants can accept no liability for any error
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