Jacob Kazunga: From Natwange Community School to Zambia’s Number 1 STEM School
Jacob Kazunga’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of education.
Growing up in Ndola, Jacob lives with his mother and three siblings. His mother, a dedicated businesswoman, sells food at the market to support them. However, her income was often not enough. School fees, books, shoes, and uniforms were persistent challenges. Some days, Jacob struggled to go to school and have confidence, not because he didn’t love school but because staying in school felt like an impossible dream amid their struggles.
In 2022, Jacob was in Grade 5 at Natwange Community School when the foundation enrolled him in the Guardian For A Year Project and began supporting him. Each year, we provided him with essential school supplies, including books, stationery, a backpack, a uniform, and shoes, allowing him to concentrate on what truly mattered: his education. With each passing year, he arrived ready to learn, knowing that someone believed in him.
Last year, he sat for his Grade 7 examinations and achieved the highest score in his school. His outstanding performance earned him a place at David Kaunda National STEM School, Zambia’s number one STEM School. This is a dream he never imagined just three years ago.
Today, Jacob is in Form One (Grade 8), chasing his dream of becoming a Medical Doctor. He knows that education is his way out, his chance to change his story.
Jacob’s journey is proof that when a child is given the right support, their future can change. There are many more children like him, full of potential but in need of a helping hand. Together, we can make more dreams come true.