Beth Girls

Mary Lundeba

Mary Lundeba, Beth’s aquaculture trainer in Kitwe for Peace Corps in Fall 2001, said “I actually love teaching so much that’s how come I have identified myself with Peace Corps as a trainer.” On an EBZEF scholarship Mary received her Master of Science degree from the University of Malawi in August 2005, one of the first to graduate from the new Aquaculture and Fisheries Science program.

The high quality of her work earned Mary a teaching fellowship to Penn State University for a PhD in Fisheries Science. After “three years of hard work to achieve my goal,” Mary graduated as a Doctor of Fisheries Science in August 2009. She has returned to Zambia to be with her sons Terrah, age 15, and Terry, age 8. Mary adds, “It has always been my desire to give back to the community because it is the community that has seen me this far. I always remember where I come from. With the problems facing my country right now I may be part of the solution. That’s why I must return and see what I can do towards the development of my country.”

Mary is grateful to family, friends and two PEO scholarships for the support which has made her accomplishment possible. “Thank you to EBZEF and to all the donors that are contributing to this project. My achievement has been your achievement, so you can see the fruits of your efforts today.” Mary is an excellent role model for Beth’s Girls in their quest for education. “I would love to be a source of that inspiration As you are aware, African women are less privileged people, but they need to know that the sky could be the limit.”

Mary’s advice to Beth’s Girls

“I’m very proud of you that you are actually forging ahead. I encourage you to work hard to achieve your goal and want to inspire you that you can achieve anything, you can be anyone you want to be. Just like me-never expected that one day I would be a doctor. And here I am today, a doctor of fish, because I’ve actually forged ahead and have used all the resources that the donor community has given me to work out my future.“

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Prudence Masanyinga

Prudence Masanyinga, EBZEF’s first Beth’s Girl high school graduate, has completed a two-year Certificate program in Community Development Studies plus an 18-month Advanced Diploma in Rural and Urban Management from Chalimbana Government Training Institute in Lusaka. She plans to return to the village of Lumwana West to help other Beth’s Girls continue their education and is hoping to work with the new Lunga Area Development Program of World Vision Zambia in the NW Province.

Prudence takes her position as role model for Beth’s Girls seriously. She serves both as translator and as facilitator for her “Bethie Gals” when we visit Lumwana West. Prudence is working hard to fulfill her scholarship contract with EBZEF to “give back to the village.” She encourages Beth’s Girls to pursue their education beyond the limits of the community. “Most of our parents in rural areas believe that educating a girl child is a waste of money. She won’t do anything in the future. So I want them to learn from me and from Beth’s Girls that educating girls is also important. They can bring development to society.”

Prudence has recently been hired by World Vision Zambia as a Social Development Worker in Samteba, 20 kilometers East of Mwinilunga.  She begins work on December 1, 2009, and remains EBZEF’s premier role model as the first Beth’s Girl to graduate from secondary school, to succeed in an extended tertiary program, and to be hired to work with the development of her own people.

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Beth’s Post-secondary Girls

2009, for the first time, sees three Beth’s Girls in post secondary programs.

Dianah Masumbah

Dianah Masumbah is completing her first year in a two-year program for teachers at Solwezi College of Education.

Sandra Kamulosu

Sandra Kamulosu is taking a Secretarial and Office Management course at Solwezi Trades Training Institute.

Angela Kasonga

Angela Kasonga is studying for an Advanced Certificate in Food Production at the Hotel & Tourism Institute in Lusaka.