Miriam: We can make this world a bright world

Teacher Mentor, Zambia

Zambia

2026

4 minute read

This world has a lot of opportunities, and if each one of us were to take up our roles, we can change the world.

I am Miriam, a Teacher Mentor at a secondary school in Kabwe, Zambia. Teacher Mentors are government teachers with additional training from CAMFED in guidance and counseling, to better help vulnerable students thrive.

I decided to become a Teacher Mentor because I can easily interact with the students. When they are close to me they gain courage and open up whenever they have problems. I am there to guide, mentor, and protect them.

My Teacher Mentors have really encouraged me. They give us advice about school and make sure we get good results for our future. They show us how to interact with others and not let what we are going through hinder us. They've also built confidence in us

Mutinta, a CAMFED-supported secondary student at my school

There are many barriers children here face to education, often related to poverty. We can reduce the levels of poverty by encouraging our girls and boys at school. Once a girl gets a good education, she can easily find work, or start her own business, which can help lift her family and other people who are close to her out of poverty.

I’m seeing a brighter future for a lot of these learners who are supported by CAMFED.

The future is bright for Mutinta!

I treat Mutinta like a daughter. She is a CAMFED-supported student in her final year of secondary school. I met her when she first came to our school as a young girl, and I taught her for over a year.

Mutinta is very ambitious and active in school. I’ve seen her recite poems, sing in a choir, and attend My Better World (life skills and wellbeing) sessions, delivered by CAMFED graduates. She also participated in the STEM camp held in Lusaka in August 2025. At the camp, CAMFED-supported girls were invited to explore their passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

Whenever I’ve seen Mutinta not doing well, I sit down with her and counsel her. When she lost her grandfather, it was close to the time we were traveling to Lusaka for the STEM camp. When I heard of the funeral, I made a personal call to her where I gave her words of encouragement.

Muntinta, she inspires me. I see a lot of potential in her that she can go further.

There are many ways I work with CAMFED Association members. These young women leaders—educated with CAMFED support—return to school as Learner Guides (peer mentors).

When Learner Guides like Christine deliver their life skills sessions (designed to build students’ confidence and agency, so they can contribute to a better world), we work together to encourage all our learners to be part of the discussions. I’m a link to the Learner Guides, to parents, and to CAMFED at large.

We can make this world a bright world. We can make this world a developed world. If we all work together and work hard, our communities are going to change.