High school students in Zambia do not receive grades.  They must prepare to pass an examination at the end of the year.  Failure to pass the exam means the end of their formal education.  They take their studies very seriously and are anxiously engaged in learning all they can. 

There are no high schools in rural villages. Students must leave their villages and travel to the nearest high school, usually many miles away.  They must also pay for room and board, books, tuition, fees, and uniforms.  High school is not free.  With a 95 percent unemployment rate, most families cannot afford to send their children to high school. Hence, in northern Zambia, only eight percent of the total population can attend high school.

Zambia's Scholarship Fund offers sponsorships to pay for high school students who wish to attend a teacher's college.

Each January, all schools that are in the program send application forms to the scholarship's founder, Peggy Rogers.  She then tries to find sponsors for these students.  The application forms come complete with the student's picture and hand-written explanation of why they would like to attend high school and how they can make a difference in their country once they are educated. 

When you become a sponsor, an application form is sent to you. You may sign up to pay monthly or yearly.  You are under no obligation to continue from year to year but many do.  Sponsors are encouraged to write to their student.  This builds a stronger desire in each student to stay in school and do their best.  It brings them great joy to know that someone in America cares about them, especially when you consider that most students we sponsor are orphans.  Sponsors enjoy this correspondence and feel a desire to continue to help. 

Click here to Sponsor a High School Student.