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.
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Daniel Phiri
University of California, Berkeley '18
Born in the shanty suburbs of Mtendere, Lusaka, Daniel never thought that he would make it to an American institution. Now at the University of California, Berkeley, he iterates that anyone can indeed achieve whatever they put their minds to. He is the last born in a family of four, and a first generation college student. In his seventh grade national examinations, he had the best results in his district and proceeded to attend St. Francis Secondary School, which is the best secondary school in Zambia's Northern Province. In the same grade, he emerged second in the national JETS (Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists) primary quiz.
From St. Francis, Daniel proceeded to David Kaunda National Technical High School, the best public school in Zambia. While at this institution, he won several coveted awards and held high ranking executive positions in several clubs. He was eventually declared the 'Best Young Scientist' of the year 2012 in Zambia by the country's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). In that year's National Science Exhibition, he was further declared the Best Exhibitor in the Energy Category and the 'Overall Best Exhibitor' of the entire exhibition. He also founded and presided over the Young Writers Club until he graduated, was the President of the Mathematics Club and the Projects Coordinator of the JETS club. He also has a strong passion for writing which led him to create several magazines for the school including 'DK Unleashed' and 'Galore' on top of organizing first-ever writing competitions and spelling bees.
After graduating from high school, Daniel's passion for science sprouted even more. He participated in the unique National Science Competition, which was organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in the year 2014. This was his first time participating in a competition organized by an international body. Regardless of him being the youngest in the competition, he was one of the three to be declared the 'Best Inventor' from the competition.
The above achievements and a lot more, inspired him to apply for the USAP Program in his country. He was successful in his application. Daniel said USAP had a fundamental impact on his personality and perspective of life. It also challenged him in many ways than one and exposed him to a lot of diversity. Daniel's adventures continue at UC Berkeley.
"There is no complacence in compromise. The future is for those who seize it as they see it." - Daniel