USAP Zambia Profiles
Taking a USAP Zimbabwe as a perfect sample of assisting the students to achieve their goals, the USAP Zambia was started in 2009 with an aim to support highly qualified students who want to study in the US colleges and universities but have difficulties with financing their study. Below are the profiles of our Zambian students.
| More USAP Zambia profiles |
Haggai Kaunda
University of California, Berkeley '18
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13
Last born in a family of two, Haggai Kaunda was born and bred on the Copperbelt province of Zambia-in the suburbs of Luanshya. Raised by his uncle-an educationist, young Haggai grew up with a natural affinity for education right from the start. And even though he did this with much reluctance through his primary years, his inquisitive mind did not stop him from setting the pace academically. Whilst in elementary school, he took an enormous interest in drama such that by the time he was in seventh grade, he saw himself acting in a TV Series for the Zambia National Broadcasting Cooperation–ZNBC.
Much to the surprise of his parents and teachers, despite being the highest scoring student at his school in the seventh grade final examinations, Haggai was not satisfied by his failure to attain the score he desired; the fact that he was only a point away pierced him even more. At this point he decided to put in more effort towards his academics. With renewed focus he went to Luanshya Trust School where he set precedence and received several awards for his unparalleled academic pre-eminence. Consequently, he graduated with outstanding grades that enabled him to soar to greater heights of achievements. For example; besides setting a new record for the school, Haggai was the first Luanshya Trust School student to receive an acceptance letter from Hillcrest National Technical High School-the school of the Southern Brains. Now content with his achievement, he continued to work with diligence and determination while at hillcrest. Even though he faced a lot of detrimental setbacks through high school, he dared not turn to despair as he always knew that with God all things are possible. He maintained an excellent academic record and graduated with all distinctions on his Senior Secondary School Leaving Examination while serving as the Table Tennis School Captain.
"If you wish success in life, make Perseverance your bosom friend, Experience your wise counsellor, Caution your elder brother and Hope your guardian genius; but above all, put God first, then you can be sure to achieve your dream" - anonymous
In the year 2013, Haggai was identified to be amongst the best and brightest students in Zambia and for that reason; he was selected to be one of the students that made the 2013 USAP cohort. As a USAP student, Haggai learnt a lot from his education advisor-Elda Muco, his fellow USAPers and all the incredible people who worked long hours to secure the dreams of these students. As a result of his tenacious efforts, Haggai will be attending school at the University of California, Berkeley, where he will be majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering under the sponsorship of the MasterCard Foundation. As a Berkeley student, Haggai will take his place in the constellation of great thinkers, innovators and distinguished scholars who have made a difference in the world around them. He dreams of a time when he will use his academic talent for the betterment of his country and Africa at large.
"Intelligence is a gift that ought to be applied wisely for the betterment of the Human race. Coupled with knowledge and wisdom from the Creator, Intelligence can lead us to strive and soar high in the realm of success" - Haggai Kaunda.
Precious Daka
University of California, Berkeley '18
"Despite having a weak financial muscle, you can achieve anything with your intellectual muscle" is the adage Precious lives by.
Precious is a hardworking, determined girl who strives to make a difference in the world. Precious attended her primary education at Namununga School and was advised to skip a grade due to her academic excellence. After passing her grade seven with good grades she went to St, Mary's secondary school of Lusaka of which she was amongst the best pupils and attained an award of best pupil in a subject called History in the whole grade nine block. After attaining straight ones in her junior secondary she went to a prestigious intellectual school called Ndola girls National Technical school. While at Ndola girls, Precious was always a leader in every aspect and held the highest position in her class rating for three consecutive years. She was an energetic, enthusiastic leader in all jobs of her class as well as voluntary activities held by the school. She was a prefect, as well as a secretary of the jets club. In grade 12 she participated in the Regional Chemistry Olympiads of which she was awarded for being amongst the best three. She excelled in all her subjects in the grade 12 final examinations and further on went to do Advanced level(a levels) at L.L.C in mathematics, physics, ICT, Business studies and economics. She will be pursuing a bachelors degree in Actuarial Science this fall at University of California Berkeley.
Precious believes in giving back to the community,she assisted her fellow students in mathematics and if necessary in other subjects.She believes that everyone is equal regardless of gender and is capable of achieving what the desire. She hopes that someday she will open schools so that a huge number of people can be educated.
Braison Liemisa
Vassar College '18
"Because something has never been done before is no reason why it can't be done now!"
Throughout his life, Braison has leant to treat any 'problem', 'pain', or 'handicap', be it academic or social, as a challenge and opportunity to enlighten his way to evolve, to grow toward his full potential, and to actualize his true self and become a better human being.
The second born in a family of four, Braison hails from Choma, a small district in the Southern province of Zambia. It is the desire to 'tread into uncharted territory and leave a trail', which keeps this extraordinarily adamant and charismatic young man 'ticking'. After attending a collection of primary schools and graduating on top of his class, he was admitted to the prestigious St. Peter Canisius for his Secondary and High school education, from 2008 through 2012. It was at Canisius that his passion to eradicate chronic poverty and diseases like Malaria, Cholera and HIV/AIDS from his community, was really ignited.
Both in secondary and high school, Braison was an exemplary and exceptional scholar and managed to scoop myriad academic and honorific accolades. He also served as president in a number of academic clubs and religious associations and is a staunch advocate of positive social change. He graduated from High school on top of his class and, like other 'USAPERS' dreams to one day explode beyond the limitation of his conditions and become an example of the unlimited power of the human spirit by becoming a legendary inspiration.
Braison has been volunteering at Choma General Hospital since graduating from High school and his ultimate dream is to one day get into medical school and revolutionize Zambia's decrepit health care system.
"I like eagles. These creatures are swift and reach amazing altitudes. Other birds cower at the thought of even nearing three-hundred meters, but eagles go almost seven hundred meters. While others seek shelter during violent storms, eagles soar through the raging winds. Their secret? They don't fly. Eagles soar. They don't use the energy of their wings to move about. They wisely take the power of the rushing wind, catching its quiet force behind and beneath. And that is why they love the storm: the stronger the wind, the greater their strength. These awe-inspiring creatures make me think about how I try to surmount adversities, propelling myself to reach higher altitudes by the vigor of my own wings, boldly facing the most difficult of situations, and soaring through the most violent of storms. The greater the adversity, the stronger I become!" said Braison.
Oswald K. Chisala
Michigan State University '18
When Oswald K. Chisala was five, he and his family resettled in the quaint Botswana mining town of Jwaneng where his father worked and lived. By the time he was eight years old, he'd assimilated an intrepid fascination with the arts and sciences. Clearly that infatuation blossomed into an ecstatic romance with the seductive realm of advanced engineering because the four years that followed hailed a mental revolution; a psychological recasting of Oswald's mind-set, if you will. The lad grew to believe that, with intelligence, a lot could be achieved. Some say cartoons triggered his para-natural outlook on reality while others consider his father for the unbelievable motivation and support he rendered. Whatever the case, he stuck to his guns and began designing a remarkably complex flight system by the sixth grade.
Later on in life, the Spartan faced many sudden trials and tribulations but in the wake of adversity, persevered. He lost his parents, grandparents, moved back to Zambia and lost touch with all of his friends, faced severe depression, became temporarily blind to inventiveness and wanted to give up on his dreams but through it all, miraculously graduated from Chassa Secondary School; a well-founded but comparatively undeveloped rural school in the Eastern Province of Zambia. His experiences inculcated in him the cliché 'anything is possible' philosophy which also preserved his fanatic love for some of the more trivial things: music, chess and socializing to name, but a few.
During his senior year, Oswald received a plethora of accolades: highest graduating student of his class with honors in mathematics and physics, and a span of leadership positions ranging from his rank as a high school prefect to his role as President of the Academic Society and Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (J.E.T.S.) Club. All of his activities at Chassa prepared his psyche for the global change that he will fight for: a more technologically developed world with addressed concerns for the impact of scientific development on the social facets of our planet. In lieu of this, Oswald intends to found the Unicouger Research and Technology Institute (U.R.T.I.) – a world-class international production and development centre dedicated to the generation of highly creative metaphysical technologies – and incorporate himself with some of today's most brilliant minds.
Based on his highly impressive academic and social record, Oswald was awarded one of only twelve highly prestigious MasterCard Foundation Scholarships this year to do an honors BSc. in Mechanical Engineering at the world renowned Michigan State University, which is in the beautiful city of East Lansing, as a precursor for Aerospace Engineering. He'll be attending one of the best public research universities in the United States of America and graduating in the Class of 2018 as one of the best engineers and scientific entrepreneurs on record. He represented UsapGlobal brilliantly and now he's well on his way.
"Academic intelligence is a state of madness…." - Oswald K. Chisala
Mwangala Simataa
Lafayette College '18
"Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not."
Mwangala Simataa was born and raised in the sugar growing town of Mazabuka. He did his primary and junior secondary school education at Nakambala Private School where he graduated as the best student. Apart from this, he won 2nd Prizes in the JETS Club Regional Junior Physics Category and Junior Mathematics Olympiads Category.
From Nakambala Private, he enrolled at St. Canisius Secondary School where completed his Senior Secondary School education. While at Canisius, Mwangala was the Vice President of the JETS club and played an instrumental role in school’s triumph as Regional champions in the JETS Club Regional fair for the first time in the school’s history. Mwangala was also the Vice Project Organizer of the mathematics club and was actively engaged in other activities such as helping out at the library and in the Debate Club. Mwangala’s stay at Canisius was laden with awards such as Best student in grade 11, 1st Prize in the JETS Club Regional Chemistry Olympiad, 2nd prize in the Senior Quiz category and 2nd Prize in the FAWEZA National Telequiz, in which he represented the southern province. To crown off what had already being a successful stay at Canisius, Mwangala graduated as the best student on the grade 12 National exam, achieving Distinctions in 9 subjects, a first in the history of Canisius Secondary School.
Aside from academics, Mwangala was a dedicated member of his local church and led the Golden Bells singing group for 2 years. He also participated in community service programs in and off school.
On account of his stellar grades and community service commitment, Mwangala was admitted into the highly competitive USAP program through which he managed to get admission to Lafayette College. At Lafayette, Mwangala hopes to double major in Economics and Mathematics and go on to graduate School where he hopes to get a PhD in economics. He is very interested in politics and finance and hopes to play role in Zambia’s economic and political development.
In his free time, Mwangala loves to debate, keep in touch with friends and read a wide range of books and articles stretching from Current affairs to Art and Music.
Kezman Saboi
Arizona State University '18
Kezman Saboi is the third-born in a family of five. He did his primary school education (From Grade one to seven) at Mongu Primary school in the Western province of Zambia. After sitting for his Grade seven examinations, he got admitted to pursue his secondary school education (From Grade eight to Grade twelve) at St. John’s Secondary School. St. John's Secondary school is among the top-ranking secondary schools in Zambia and the most 'prestigious' school in the Western Province of Zambia.
While he was at that secondary school, he used to work so hard at his school work that he used gravitate between positions one and two in his class of forty-five students. Besides focusing on his academic work, Kezman took active and leading roles in various school clubs like the debate club, environmental club, the Mathematics club, to mention but a few. Moreover, he introduced his schoolmates to keynote speaking. During school assemblies, he always spoke to his fellow students on the need for discipline, focus, and working hard for a person to excel at his/her studies.
After completing his secondary school education with flying colors, he got into USAP and became a 'USAPer'. The first time he applied to some colleges and universities in the United States, he got rejections and a few admissions with inadequate financial aids. Owing to this, he had to re-apply for admission again. The second time he had to work on his applications, he only chose to apply to Arizona State University and got admitted there. He strongly believes he would not have attained the current success he is enjoying without the help of his family, friends, teachers at St. John's Secondary school, and Education Advisors. These all taught him to always persevere in life no matter how huge the obstacles may seem.
Kezman is greatly inspired by Mother Theresa's poem, 'Do It Anyway'.
Lydia Sakala
Arizona State University '18
The first born in a family of two, Lydia Sakala, neither went to prestigious schools nor recieved numerous awards. Though intelligent, she experienced physical and emotional abuse between the ages of 8 and 12 which culminated in loss of confidence and then poor performance during her primary school years. This changed when she transferred from Trans-Euphrates School to Verana Christian School where she obtained a one year scholarship in the 8th grade after an excellent performance during her grade 7 exams. Lydia also served as Headgirl for two years until she went to Kabulonga Girls High School after passing her grade nine exams. Again, her academic performance deterioriated due to her mother's two year illness which almost led to the amputation of her right arm, and later her parent's marital problems and their subsequent divorce two months before she wrote her senior secondary exam. Lydia persevered, however, and earned among the best results at her school.
When she applied and was chosen to be part of the 2013-2014 USAP cohort, her dream of studying at an American university came close to reality, USAP, for her, was a friend who loved and nurtured her, a family who helped her succeed even when she had nothing to offer in return apart from her hard work. A recipient of the MasterCard scholarship to study at Arizona State University, Lydia Sakala plans to major in Biochemistry (Medicinal Chemistry), and help to contribute to the Zambian and wider African pharmaceutical industry once she returns home.
Sylvia Kapya
Arizona State University '18
Sylvia, the first in the family of four to study abroad, was accepted to Arizona State University, under the MasterCard Foundation Scholarship program. Sylvia intends to major in biochemistry (medicinal chemistry) and develop the necessary skills needed to bring development to Zambia. She anticipates being introduced to quality medicine production trends that would enable her to conduct research in drug design and management of manufacturing drugs to improve the efficiency of the medical facilities that the Zambian health sector has. Her perspective is that this will help alleviate issues like drug shortages and the high levels of drug importation, which are currently plaguing Zambia. Furthermore, Sylvia would love to make great contributions to discovering the cure to HIV/AIDS.
Sylvia did her primary education at Codrington Trust School. During her ninth grade, Sylvia through Bishop Joshua Banda of Northmead Assemblies of God Church met a documentary filmmaker, Rehema Trimiew, who at that time was shooting her thesis documentary learning to fly for her masters at Rochester Institute of Technology. This film focused on a group of vulnerable teenagers in the filmmaking class of which Sylvia was a member. When rehema began her film she did not know which student would become the focus, but Sylvia quickly distinguished herself. She was a dedicated, exceptionally bright and clever student. As the classes progressed and her talent became more apparent, rehema could see that Sylvia would become the focus of her documentary. By the end of the documentary class, Sylvia had made a remarkable film about her younger brother Samuel, and was hopeful that it would do well in the film screening and competition. All of the students in the class screened their films to the community and the audience voted on the best. Sylvia won hands down. Despite her involvement with the documentary class, Sylvia was at the top of her class in her ninth grade. After ninth grade Sylvia went to Mkushi School, where she was among 15 students (11 boys and 4 girls) that took challenging high school courses and she managed to graduate with the best results.
After graduating from high school Sylvia joined USAP Zambia which she considered as the greatest opportunity for her dreams. This further encouraged her towards achieving her potential as she was taught to "become the change that her society needed." Sylvia has dealt with extraordinary circumstances having lost her parents; yet, still held on to her values and strove to keep her siblings together. She is adept at articulating her goals, ethical standards, and hope for the future. Much of her hope she placed in guiding her baby brother towards an education. Sylvia gets her inspirations from persons like her late father, Charles Kapya, a former great Zambian rally driver, and her best friend Maya Mweemba, who has always made lemonade from the lemons of life.