Meet Hellen, a 27-year-old, 7th-grade student at Fountain of Life School. She is married and is a mother to two young children. Originally from a small village where marrying and having children young is the norm, Hellen nevertheless dreamed of getting an education.
Hellen and her 3 -year-old daughter.
"I want to get educated because my life will change. I want to be a policewoman and be able to provide for my family." - Hellen Memory Lungu-
However, Hellen’s aspirations were not shared by her in-laws, so Hellen’s husband got a job in the capital, Lusaka, so he could provide for the family while Hellen got her education. Despite her dream of going to school being within her grasp, Hellen experienced feelings of fear and embarrassment as she would be much older than others in her class. Fortunately, Teacher Priscilla was there to encourage and give her remedial phonics lessons so she could catch up with her classmates. Her husband also sometimes helped her with her studies.
Hellen during the reading assessment.
She started gaining confidence and decided not to let feelings of embarrassment stop her. In addition to her husband’s job, Hellen found time to support the family with small business ventures like selling fish, though she has put this on hold for the moment to focus on the upcoming national examinations. With determination to succeed such as Hellen’s, we are sure she will be able to achieve her dreams and reach her full potential. She and her family’s lives will never be the same again.