MY EXPERIENCE WITH KUCETEKELA FOUNDATION
By Bwalya Kasanda
I am sitting in
my room… looking out of my windowpane, in Songsten Khang House, Pestalozzi,
United Kingdom. I can see the present, the future too, but my thoughts right
now are darting about in the past. I am trying to sort out tracks and puzzles
of how I got here. The answer has always been at the back of my mind. But it is
not something that I often write about. So here it comes.
They say “a journey of a
thousand miles begins with a single step.” Mine began with a smile and it was a
journey of a thousand miles. As I sit in this room I find it impossible to imagine
going home on foot. The memory never blares; I remember one 2007 afternoon
being called from class to go to Ms Banda’s office, the then senior teacher of
Northmead Basic School. I must confess that although I was not one for offences
at school I was a little scared, just 12. But the news that followed was
unfamiliar to me. I had never heard of Kucetekela Foundation, and here I was,
being given an application form. At the time I was just confused. Things soon
fell into place and excitement crept in. Given my financial circumstances, I
considered myself lucky to be awarded such an amazing scholarship, and I did my
level best in the application process, the tests inclusive. Tears of joy rolled
down my cheeks when one December morning I was informed that I, among nine others,
had won the scholarship. Ready for new experiences, I packed my almost empty
suitcase and headed for Leopards Hill secondary school.
KF did everything for me-
it provided transport, bought me clothes and textbooks and a lot of other
things. I was fully supported and good to go! Most importantly, I had the
opportunity to obtain quality education at among the best schools in the
country, something I had never really dreamt of. I was on my way to achieving
things greater than I had dreamt of. Although I spent a lot of time in boarding
school, interacting with kids often from backgrounds more privileged than my
own, I had staff from KF come over to school to check on my progress and ask
for any concerns. I felt that I was not alone. I felt cared for and supported. I
fit in very well. I vividly remember all the beautiful events, starting with
the orientation luncheon at Dolphin restaurant and then the mentor’s luncheon
at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel. Oh the mentorship programme that is another marvellous
experience on its own. I found a wonderful mentor in Juanita Kashoki. I often
had a chance to meet with fellow KF students from the other two schools, Ibex
Hill and Chalo Trust through the many events that we had, such as the Hope
foundation trip, the Ndubaluba trip and the South Africa trip. Additionally, I
have had the privilege of exchanging cultures with students from Hotchkiss from
the USA.
In both my examination
classes, grade nine and twelve I was provided with all the resources that I
needed, including tuition and past papers. Mr Mukena was always there busy
trying to sort out the school accounts, the fellows from America were wonderful
support and Mrs Nkowane, the mother of the organisation gave me inspiration.
One day I will look back and say, “I never made it on my own, I am just a
testimony.” KF is the brain child of Oliver Barry, and I am grateful to him for
all he does, and to his friends and family who do their utmost to sponsor the
organisation.
I completed my high school at Chalo Trust, quite successfully, and
proceeded to take a gap year in 2013. During this time, KF introduced me to the
Kalikiliki Literacy Project, where I gave back to the community through
teaching. Simultaneously, KF was always on the look out for opportunities, many
of which, I am humbled to say, were availed to me. Initially, the KF contract
lasted five years-sponsoring students throughout their secondary school lives.
But the organisation later saw the need to help its alumni become successful
who faced after school challenges, a huge and selfless step in my opinion. I
applied for several great programmes such as USAP, African Leadership Academy
and IB in Pestalozzi UK. It is through this tedious process that I got the
opportunity to sit down in my room…looking out of my windowpane, in Songsten
Khang House, Pestalozzi, United Kingdom.
I now look to the future as I complete the dying months of an
interestingly challenging Diploma and seek out other opportunities in the west.
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