Lucky was born October 10, 1988! That means Lucky has recently had his twentieth birthday! Lucky is in grade 10 at Namwianga Christian Secondary School, a boarding school of about 400 students. He is extremely grateful for sponsorship. Getting a place in a boarding school has been an exceedingly difficult journey for Lucky.
Why is Lucky twenty years old and only in grade 10? Lack of finances is the main reason. He is a smart young man and is in good health. He started school at the age of eight. He tried very hard to get good marks. Zambian students must score above a certain cut off point at grade 7 and again in grade 9 in order to continue their education. When Lucky wrote his grade 9 exams the first time he missed the cut off point by a few points so he had to go back to school for two years. Then he re-wrote the grade 9 exams—this time he was successful.
Passing the grade 9 exams is a big accomplishment for many Zambian children, especially village children. Daily these kids face many obstacles e.g. not enough textbooks, paper, or pens, the teachers may not show up for a day or three (there are no substitute teachers), the child may be without food for a few days—as in the case of Lucky’s family, or the distance may be too long to walk to school every day.
Lucky passed the cut off point for grade 9 in 2006, but was forced to remain at home because he could not afford to pay for his secondary school education. To find money to pay for his school fees the following year Lucky grew cabbages and tomatoes and found odd jobs (piece work) at a tobacco farm. Piece work is usually very physically hard work and pays very little money.
He applied to ZMF-C in May 2006, but because of applying late in the year there were no places available at the school he qualified for. Then in November 2007, Lucky came to us and applied for scholarship and a place was given to him at NCSS for 2008.
Lucky is one of the story-writing students. He shares honestly and humbly about his life, his struggles and his joys! He has lots of grit, determination and a very strong character. He is a delight and an encouragement. Every Sunday Lucky comes to water the garden—the job takes about two hours because we don’t have a great watering system. I am grateful for the hard work he does, Today we shared juice and biscuits afterwards!
Lucky is the son of a polygamist. His mom, the first wife, had eight children and Lucky is the second born. The second wife has five children. One of the huge problems with polygamy is that the parents often cannot support educational costs for all the children. Lucky says he will not be a polygamist because it causes problems like hunger and lack of schooling for the children. He says for the problem of hunger he asks God every day for help. Lucky has a strong faith and he asks God to help him in his education, to help his family at home and also others that have problems. He asks for God’s guidance as he goes step by step in his life and he asks that God guide him to be a humble person who will help others in this world.
It is my privilege and by God’s design that I know Lucky. I am blessed!
Passing the grade 9 exams is a big accomplishment for many Zambian children, especially village children. Daily these kids face many obstacles e.g. not enough textbooks, paper, or pens, the teachers may not show up for a day or three (there are no substitute teachers), the child may be without food for a few days—as in the case of Lucky’s family, or the distance may be too long to walk to school every day.
Lucky passed the cut off point for grade 9 in 2006, but was forced to remain at home because he could not afford to pay for his secondary school education. To find money to pay for his school fees the following year Lucky grew cabbages and tomatoes and found odd jobs (piece work) at a tobacco farm. Piece work is usually very physically hard work and pays very little money.
He applied to ZMF-C in May 2006, but because of applying late in the year there were no places available at the school he qualified for. Then in November 2007, Lucky came to us and applied for scholarship and a place was given to him at NCSS for 2008.
Lucky is one of the story-writing students. He shares honestly and humbly about his life, his struggles and his joys! He has lots of grit, determination and a very strong character. He is a delight and an encouragement. Every Sunday Lucky comes to water the garden—the job takes about two hours because we don’t have a great watering system. I am grateful for the hard work he does, Today we shared juice and biscuits afterwards!
Lucky is the son of a polygamist. His mom, the first wife, had eight children and Lucky is the second born. The second wife has five children. One of the huge problems with polygamy is that the parents often cannot support educational costs for all the children. Lucky says he will not be a polygamist because it causes problems like hunger and lack of schooling for the children. He says for the problem of hunger he asks God every day for help. Lucky has a strong faith and he asks God to help him in his education, to help his family at home and also others that have problems. He asks for God’s guidance as he goes step by step in his life and he asks that God guide him to be a humble person who will help others in this world.
It is my privilege and by God’s design that I know Lucky. I am blessed!
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