Helen and I met a young man called Andsen Shoma today. Andsen is about to complete his third year’s training at Kitwe College of Education (KCE). We have supported him since grade 8. After completing grade 12 he went on to become a peer health educator with CHEP and then to study at KCE. For the past year he has been doing his teaching practice in a community school for street and vulnerable children in Kitwe’s Mindolo compound.

As soon as Kasamba (Hodi’s Logistics Officer), Helen and I arrived at Salem Village community school, we set out to find the Head Teacher to make the usual introductions before proceeding to meet Andsen. You can imagine our surprise when we were introduced to the Head Teacher who was no other than Andsen himself!

Andsen is due to finish teaching practice next week and with that, the diploma course at KCE. The Director of Salem Village recognised Andsen’s leadership skills and was quick to offer him the Head Teacher position when it became vacant in January. Although he only receives a relatively small living allowance for this voluntary position (500 kwacha per month), the opportunity will provide 23-year-old Andsen with invaluable experience while he waits to be posted as a permanent teacher by the government.