Child Sponsorship

Kabwe grew up in Kafue District with her parents, twin sister and three other siblings.  But life was not always easy for her and her family. They struggled to make ends meet, and there were times when even the basics like school supplies, uniforms, and meals were hard to come by. Her big breakthrough came when she was enrolled in ChildFund’s sponsorship program within Kafue District.

“When ChildFund came into my life, everything changed,” Kabwe recalls. “My sponsor, Carol Formica, didn’t just support my education, she became part of my whole life story. Her letters and encouragement gave me strength to believe that I could become someone who helps others.”

That belief became the foundation of Kabwe’s remarkable journey, from a sponsored child to a dedicated nurse serving her community at Kafue Health Center.

As a child, Kabwe was known for her energy and compassion. She joined the children’s committee under ChildFund, where she helped raise awareness among her peers about abuse and children’s rights. Later, she became a peer educator, speaking to other young people about safety, health, and self-confidence.

“Being part of the children’s committee opened my eyes,” she says. “I met children who had gone through so much pain. Listening to their stories made me realize I wanted to be there for people in their hardest moments. That’s when I knew I wanted to become a nurse.”

With support from ChildFund and encouragement from her sponsor, Kabwe worked hard to achieve her dream. The road was not easy, balancing schoolwork, helping her family, and staying hopeful through financial struggles, but she never gave up.

Today, Kabwe is a registered nurse at Kafue Health Center, where she provides care, comfort, and kindness to those who need it most. Yet her spirit of service goes beyond the hospital walls. She continues to speak to youth groups as a peer educator, encouraging others to believe in themselves and use every opportunity to change their lives.

“ChildFund taught me that success is more than getting a job, but more importantly about becoming a person who gives back,” she says.

Alongside her work in health, Kabwe also discovered her entrepreneurial side through ChildFund’s life skills and youth programs. She now runs a small baking and event décor business that employs other young people, helping them learn skills and earn an income.

“Child sponsorship means opportunity,” says Clay Chambisha, ChildFund Zambia’s Sponsorship Manager. “Every sponsored child carries within them the potential to transform not only their own life but also the lives of others in their community.”

Today, more than 28,000 children are enrolled in ChildFund Zambia’s sponsorship program, with over 18,000 already linked to individual sponsors around the world. Each sponsorship helps children access education, healthcare, and skills that prepare them for a brighter future, just like Kabwe, whose journey continues to inspire hope in others.