Get to know Columbus

 
 
 

Columbus has been in the sponsorship program since he entered grade four in 2020. Columbus is the fourth of ten children(although he only has seven living siblings - two of his siblings passed away due to health complications). In 2017 Columbus's mother, Joyce, lost her job as a cook and has been unemployed ever since; although she has had her hands full raising her children mostly by herself since Columbus’s father, abandoned his family in 2019. Columbus's favorite subject is Math and when he grows up he wants to be a doctor. Unfortunately, Columbus his sponsor can’t continue his 2023 sponsorship so he is looking for a new sponsor!

 

  • About Me

    Name: Columbus

    Age: 15

    Sex: Male

    Grade: 7

    School: Libala Basic School

    Lives with: Mother

    Number of siblings: 7

  • Poverty In Zambia

    Unlike most places in the developed world, education is not free to the public in Zambia. All students are required to pay school fees as well as purchase a school uniform, shoes, and other supplies, which many families cannot afford. In times of crisis, impoverished children are especially vulnerable and face several challenges. Girls who are unable to attend school have a high risk of becoming pregnant or being forced into marriage, whereas boys have a high risk of underage drinking, smoking, and becoming involved in petty crime. By sponsoring a child you are giving them access to life-changing programs and support.

How the Sponsorship Program works

Each student in the sponsorship program is paired with a sponsor who provides the necessary funds for the student’s education. Admission into the sponsorship provides vulnerable students in grades one through twelve with:

  • A uniform, school shoes, and school sweater to keep them warm in the colder months

  • A backpack containing all of the essential school supplies – pens, pencils, a ruler, pencil sharpener, eraser, and ten composition books

  • Extra Lessons six to twelve hours a week taught by one of FHCI’s project coordinators

  • A nutritious lunch four times a week

  • School fees and requirements

  • Counseling and health services when needed

Students in grade nine and above who prefer to study a trade or pursue a life skills track, rather than an educational track, will have the opportunity to attend at LIBES trade school, or another trade school in Livingstone. Students who pass their grade twelve examinations will be allowed to continue their education, if they so choose, at a University. We assist them in paying for the cost of their education, and when necessary, help them purchase the items they are required to have for their study.

Once you become a sponsor…

To keep our sponsors connected to their students so they feel included in the student’s lives, we send the sponsors termly updates. These updates include important information about FHCI and their student’s progress, such as:

A welcome email with organization information and personalized student information

  • A picture of the student’s report card

  • A brief progress report outlining the student’s overall performance during the term

  • A thank you card from the student

Further information about our program

When we initially began our sponsorship program in 2018, we had thirty-nine students distributed between twelve schools in Zambia. In 2019 we accepted sixty-one additional students, bringing the number of students in our program to 100. We also partnered with seven additional schools. With the onset of 2020 our program continued to grow. We accepted thirty more children into our program making our total number of students rise to 130.

We are currently working with twenty-seven schools. Since our inception in 2018 we have worked with a total of 158 students and thirty-two schools, including one trade school and five universities. So far, fifteen students have graduated through our program, eight of which are currently in University. We have an additional eight students graduating in December 2021.

FAQs about our Sponsorship

+ How do I sponsor a child?

a. For new sponsors: Once you have read through the student profiles and found a student you would like to sponsor, click on the orange button underneath the student’s picture that says “Sponsor”. After clicking on this button, the check-out page will pop up and you will have the option to pay the full amount for your student, or to pay monthly. Once you select which option works best for you, click on the donate button on the bottom right of the screen then select your payment option. Once you complete the process, you will then receive a conformation email from us, meaning you have successfully completed the donation process and are now a sponsor!

b. For current sponsors: If you are currently sponsoring a student and want to continue to sponsor them for the 2022 school year, click on the button that says, “Renew your Sponsorship” in the top banner of the “Sponsor a Child” page. Read the information on the page, then click on the button on the bottom center of the page that says,“Renew your Sponsorship”. After clicking on the button, the check-out page will pop up and you will have the option to pay the full amount for your student(s), or to pay monthly. Once you select which option works best for you, select the amount you want to donate then click on the donate button on the bottom right of the screen. After you complete the checkout you will receive a conformation email from us!

+ How long does my sponsorshop last?

Sponsorship is done on a year-by-year basis. In October you will be asked if you would like to continue to sponsor your student for the upcoming school year, or if you would like us to find your student a new sponsor.

+ What if I need to make a change to my sponsorship?

You can make changes to your monthly giving anytime. Please contact our Care Team to adjust, delay, or cancel. And because of our on-going commitment to our children from the time of sponsorship through graduation, your child will continue to receive benefits from the program, and we will work to find them another sponsor as soon as possible.

+ Who is Free Haven Community Initiative?

Free Haven Community Initiative (FHCI) is a registered Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) located in Livingstone, Zambia that has four main areas of focus: Education, Nutrition, Health, and Empowerment. In order for the Zambian NGO to be successful, a non-profit organization called Free Haven Community Initiative, Inc. was formed in America to assist its Zambian counterpart. By organizing fundraisers, processing donations, and handling marketing strategies, this partnership makes it possible for the Zambian-based NGO to carry out its day to day functions and focus on its primary goals. The American non-profit is run by a board of directors. The people on this board volunteer their time to make the aforementioned tasks possible. In addition to the American team, the Zambian- based NGO has its own board of directors to manage the organization’s projects in Zambia.