by Betty Trummel

Just wrapped up a fantastic weekend with some very special guys…all but one of them are Shine Zambia Reading Academy alums! I’ve known most of these young men since 2010 when I first came to Zambia. The challenges they’ve faced and the resolve to keep going is inspirational to me. I had fun gathering their stories in their words; remarkable oral histories which I hope to put together in a book. 

Over the weekend I spent time in the compounds of Mutendere and Kalikiliki, where these young men grew up and still live. Meeting their families and being invited into their homes was really special.

Jonathan, (below) our A to Z Literacy Movement scholarship recipient, is in college now and studying medicine; working so very hard to follow his dream to become a doctor.

A to Z Literacy provides financial and mentoring support for Jonathan and his family. It’s been wonderful to watch him grow up and supporting his education is an important goal of our organization.

(From left to right above): Gift, Isaac, Paul and Jimmy. Three of these young men benefitted from Shine Zambia Reading Academy (Paul attended another school) and credit their good start in education to Shine and help from A to Z Literacy as well. Our continued connections over a 13-year span have affected them, but have also had an enormous impact on me…and my family. 

These connections happened because of my involvement with A to Z Literacy. My life would be so different if I hadn’t met this group of boys…now terrific young men. They all conveyed to me that they look back at their life and how far they’ve come, and that motivates them to look forward to what they want to accomplish in the future. I love their positive energy and I am constantly reminded of the determination and resilience of so many people I’ve met here.