Our first week in Zambia was busy, full of stories, and deeply inspiring.

We visited Luyando Foundation projects several times, meeting incredible people and seeing both the achievements and the challenges they face daily. We gave away everything we brought – a suitcase and a large bag filled with items for our youth group and school.

For the Sports Academy, we delivered footballs, pumps, training cones, goalkeeper gloves, and donated football shoes. The players immediately began training with them.

For Rising Stars Community School, we purchased pens, pencils, erasers, markers, reusable writing books, educational posters, and a projector that connects to a mobile phone. We also used donations to buy a used laptop and three used Samsung mobile phones to help with education and communication.

The education leader shared that the school receives no support from the government. Despite this, his commitment to the children is unshaken. He told us, “I do not want these children to end up on the streets. I want them to have a future, and everything starts with education.”

We were welcomed on our first day with songs from a class and a heartfelt poem from four Grade 5 pupils. We attended football training at the Luyando Foundation Sports Academy and watched two women’s football matches. The skill and determination of these young women was inspiring. One of them is now playing for the Zambian national team.

Challenges remain. Clubs must pay fees for each player, and without sponsors, many cannot afford to participate. Thankfully, a sponsor has stepped in this year to cover the costs, allowing more young people to play and dream again.

This week has been full of contrasts – from modern shopping malls and well-equipped homes to communities where power outages are common and the smell of burning waste lingers in the air.

It has been a week full of impressions, joy, and hope. We are grateful to have experienced it as a family, and to be part of building a future for the girls, youth, and women of Zambia.

Thank you to everyone who donated and made this possible. Your support is changing lives.