What inspired you to work for Simoonga Thandizani Trust School?
I have a big passion for the children here. While living here in the village, I saw a lot of children who couldn't go to school and I wanted to change that.
Giving children the opportunity to get the education they need, is really important for their development. While working with the children, I see them grow and have fun.
Describe a typical day at work.
The school starts at 7:30. We all get together to start the day. After this, the children go to class.
I work in the office and manage our finances, social media accounts, and bookings. I also help the volunteers.
At lunch, we all get together again. With the feeding program, we can provide the children with food. I love to interact with the kids.
Children in front of school sign.
Why do you do what you do?
It makes me really happy to work with kids. The school helps the community and the kids in our community grow. They are the future, so it is really important to stimulate their knowledge of the world.
As our motto says, enter to learn, knowledge is power. It also gives children the opportunity to make friends and support each other.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is educating the children. To me, it is so important to see them learn about the world, so they are able to navigate themselves in it.
I really like working together with the other teachers and sharing our skills with each other. The school is an important part of the community of Simonga.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I'm originally a native citizen of Zambia, so I know the country, its traditions, and ways very well. I am also known in the community, which inspired me to start this school.
Because I am from Zambia, I have the knowledge and tools to connect with the children here. I also make good use of the volunteers and teachers that come here, by encouraging them to share their knowledge and skills.
children playing outside.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
The school is not funded by the government, and because of this, we have to find our own funds. We do this by reaching out through social media and encouraging volunteers to do the same.
This way, we are able to collect enough money to keep the school going. In Zambia we also face things like drought, so we try to be mindful of the use of water and save water where we can.
What are some current projects you are working on?
We just put our school available as an accommodation on booking. We also have a listing on Airbnb. By renting out our bungalows and allowing new people to come, we can earn money for the school.
People who are guests here can also choose to help the school. We are also working on a feeding project and collecting funds for this.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I have always lived here, so I don't know what advice to give my 'pre-travel' self, however, if I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would say, ‘Don't hesitate to start the school, because it will give you so much purpose and joy. And it will be the same for the children attending.’. It was one of the best things I have ever done.
Why should someone choose Simoonga Thandizani Trust School over competitors?
Our organization stands out because we are a small welcoming community and family, with a big passion. We are located near the tourist capital of Zambia, providing volunteers not only with a great project but also an opportunity to see the best that Zambia has to offer (our famous national park Mosi-Au-Tunya and the Victoria Falls are very close)!
Children learning about communication.
What hopes do you have for the future for Simoonga Thandizani Trust School?
We want to become a well-known school and have a regular base of volunteers coming here to help us. We would love to grow more and provide as many children as possible with the education they need. By getting more funds, we can also grow our feeding project, which will allow us to help the community even more.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
The motto of our school is 'knowledge is power', and we truly believe in this. Children are very important to society because they determine the future. Giving them the knowledge to achieve their goals in life will allow them to make an impact, not only on their own lives but on the world as well.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope participants will feel inspired to bring their knowledge about Zambia and our school back home. We want to show volunteers the beauty of Zambia and make them feel welcome here. We also hope that they will feel inspired to be of service in their own communities or have a positive impact on the world overall.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Sometimes we can get stuck in our own bubbles. Experiencing new cultures, meeting new people, and getting out of your comfort zone, will allow you to grow as a person. Learning new skills and seeing things from other perspectives is important. Traveling abroad will widen your horizons and teach you a lot of things about yourself and the world around you.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel will get you out of your own bubble and allow you to step into another world. It will be a learning experience and could give you an opportunity to learn about the world around you, and therefore, grow as a person. For example, at our school, you will learn about childcare, making an impact, teamwork, and charity.
