Learner Guide (peer mentor), Zambia
Christine: I’m a role model for girls in my community, and they inspire me too!
4 minute read
I’m helping girls in Zambia stay in school and achieve their goals
My name is Christine, I’m from Kabwe district in Zambia. I volunteer at my local school as a Learner Guide (peer mentor), helping students overcome barriers to learning and reach their potential.
I decided to become a Learner Guide because CAMFED has been really helpful to me. Through CAMFED I have learned about my rights, the importance of school, and how to achieve my goals in life. I wanted to share this knowledge with my younger sisters.
I work with Teacher Mentors like Miriam, head teachers and other staff members to mentor and encourage vulnerable children. The school staff are really supportive of the Learner Guide program.
Christine gives us encouragement about life. She tells us about career pathways. How to choose and what you can do after school. She doesn't let her background determine how she is. She is always smiling and her story really encourages us.Mutinta, a CAMFED-supported secondary student
Using a workbook called My Better World, I run regular life skills and wellbeing sessions for students. They learn things that don’t just apply to academic subjects — we talk about their whole life from so many different angles.
I also conduct home visits to check in with students, especially if they have stopped attending lessons. When I visit, I can understand the challenges that they are facing and see what I can do to help them get back to school.
My Better World doesn’t just focus on the subjects they learn from school, but their whole way of life.
Inspired by the students I support
One student I have a great relationship with is Mutinta, she is in Grade 12. We have a sister kind of relationship and even go to the same church.
She’s very open with me and if she finds any challenges, she comes directly to me because she sees me as a big sister. She says that I’m her role model because I have a good character and I inspire her.
Mutinta inspires me too! In the way she is hard working and concentrates at school, plus she’s a prefect! During the My Better World sessions, she’s always eager to ask questions and learn new things.
Growing up, my parents struggled to raise money for school fees, uniforms and other basics. I wore the same uniform from Grade 1 to Grade 5 until it was all worn out. Sometimes I felt isolated because I didn’t fit in with the other children who had access to things I could not afford.
I first heard about CAMFED in Grade 10 at secondary school when I was referred for support by my Teacher Mentor. She saw me struggling and approached me. We had a one-on-one conversation where I explained my situation and she passed on my details for CAMFED support.
Support in school helped me thrive and become more confident. It boosted my self-esteem.
Outside of my Learner Guide role, I provide children in my community with essentials like menstrual products, books, or pens, using profits from my business.
I also do a lot with my CAMFED Association sisters, young women leaders also educated with CAMFED’s support. I see them as family. We go into communities to mentor girls, go to clinics or police stations to clean, and we go into schools to do philanthropy.
In the future, I want to become a nurse, taking care of sick and elderly people. I want to continue being a good role model to my young sisters, and be a very successful and independent woman.
A girl child can become president, or anything they want as long as they’re educated.