Connecting to Zambia

This term I have the privilege of developing a rapport and relationship with a woman in Zambia who is pursuing a career in ECE. Mwaka, who I first came into contact with in Foundations, lives in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia.

Lusaka is the largest, and one of the fastest growing, cities of southern Africa. Lusaka has an urban and metropolitan population of approximately 4 million people (approximately 16 million in Zambia). It is estimated that an average of 68% of the country's people live below the national poverty level. Mining and agriculture are the two greatest sources of employment for citizens, however under- and unemployment are significant issues.

Educational programs are both public and private. Private, fee-based programs offer students quality educational and increased gender inclusion, while public schools are often overcrowded and under-resourced and the number of out-of-school children is rising (estimated 700,000 in 2015 up from 500,000 in 2013). Young children are often charged with compromising education for helping family meet basic needs. In partnership with UNICEF, the government of Zambia is working to increased educational standards at all levels, including early childhood.

According to UNICEF, only about 15% of children in first grade reported pre-school experience. Part of the reason for this is an insufficient number of ECE facilities. Part of Mwaka's professional goals is to impact these numbers and the children that they represent. Particularly, Mwaka is passionate about the developing quality ECE programs open to the public that mirror the education and experience offered in private programs. Below are links to Mwaka's blog as well as to the UNICEF Annual Report.


Mwaka's blog: https://mwakambikusitalewanikapassionforchildren.wordpress.com/2016/07/23/consequences-of-stress-on-childrens-development/

UNICEF, (2015). Zambia. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/about/annualreport/files/Zambia_2015_COAR.pdf