One of Africa Hope Fund’s goals in supporting our friends in Zambia is to secure sponsorships for students – especially those who have a natural interest and passion for wildlife and conservation in their country.

There are many deserving students who struggle to attend school in Zambia. They often come from remote locations and are either orphaned or very poor with vulnerable backgrounds and little time to devote to school. In most cases, these students need sponsorships to attend boarding school so they have proper housing and space for their studies.

For many years, our friends at Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust have offered sponsorships to students in 8th to 12th grade, as well as to older students who want to attend college or university (also known as tertiary education).

Our sponsors play an essential role in covering the costs of school for families who can’t afford them, which includes a variety of expenses such as:

Uniform and shoes
School supplies and backpacks
Tuition and exam fees
Personal supplies
Room and board

While primary and secondary school are important, the greatest need when it comes to sponsorships is for university education.

“We have brilliant students who work hard and study conservation-related subjects,” said Anna Tolan, founding director of Chipembele. “But then it comes to a grinding halt as they reach university level because we can’t find sponsors for their education.”

Not only is this disappointing for the students, but the lack of a college degree hinders their ability to begin a career in conservation, which is greatly needed in Zambia.

This year Chipembele is trying to secure sponsorships for six outstanding students who have worked hard to prepare for university. These students were handpicked by Anna and the Chipembele team as students with the highest potential, and they’ve participated in a yearlong life skill development program that bridges the gap between high school and university.

The six students seeking sponsorship to university in 2022 — at their graduation from the Mentors at Chipembele program in 2021

“These students have overcome so much adversity,” Anna said. “If we could get them sponsored, it would be fantastic. They’ve worked so hard all year.”

Depending on the type of sponsorship, the cost runs from about $200 per year for day school up to about $4,500 per year for university education and boarding. It’s vital to be a committed sponsor, and Chipembele asks sponsors to support the student for the duration of their school or university years.

Some of the students who have received sponsorship for their studies have gone on to do important work in Zambia with several partner organizations. A woman named Thandiwe Mweetwa, for example, was sponsored by Chipembele at a young age after being orphaned. She went on to study for a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree with a focus on lions. She is today employed as Project Manager by the Zambia Carnivore Program, and has won multiple awards, including the National Geographic Emerging Explorer award and the Conservation Award for Women in Discovery. Thandiwe also teaches young children through Chipembele’s Conservation Club, leading the group every Friday to conduct research in the nearby National Park.

Another successful young woman is Besnart Manda, whose legs were amputated when she was a baby and has overcome incredible obstacles in her life. After having her education sponsored through Chipembele, she earned a diploma in journalism and communications, and today she is the Communications Specialist for Conservation South Luangwa.

If you’d like to learn more or are ready to commit to sponsorship, please contact Africa Hope Fund’s CEO Carol Van Bruggen or Anna Tolan with Chipembele.

The Life-Changing Power of School Sponsors in Zambia