Miss Margaret Konkola, 22, studying for a Diploma in Food Production at Zambia Institute for Tourism & Hospitality in Lusaka. Since successfully completing her Secondary Education she has been unable to pursue her studies because of her financial circumstances. She comes from a large family and has responsibility for her widowed mother so this grant will give her the opportunity to start a career.
Margaret writes: ‘I was born in 1996 to darius konkola and ruth n’gona respectively as father and mother. My elder brother being Francis Konkola. Jacob Banda is the youngest of the three being the last born in the family.
My grandmother Mrs. Hildah N’gona has been very hard working to help me throughout my life. Of course it takes the whole village to raise a child; Moffat and Jack N’gona are very special being my uncles and brothers to my mother. I grew up not knowing the relatives to my father, therefore I count on them for guidance and counseling. Hildah N’gona runs a big family full of grandchildren. We share a good relationship of cousinship in one single home. There are various opportunities in the hospitality industry which gives hope for the future. As a result of the training which I am acquiring, I desire to venture into entrepreneurship in hospitality business by way of owning a lodge.
It would be unfair and injust to others who are lacking employment if I do not pursue entrepreneurship and become employment provider. However, to reach the level of an employer, one must pass through the levels of employment. Immediately after my course, I intend to serve under the already existing establishments and gain some experience. This would be enough starting point of me helping myself and my family.
Other ambition for the future is to have my own family and be there for my husband and children. The economy nowadays demands special skills for one to be counted, therefore, my skills in food production and management are well set for me and my family to be counted. Many thanks again goes to the Zambia Society Trust for their support in my education career.
It is enjoyable and something which gives hope in life to be accorded an opportunity to pursue the desired career in life. The Zambia Society Trust are there giving a helping hand to people who had no hope or chance to excel in ones desired area of study.
My education circumstances started from the time I was one year old. This was the time when I lost my biological father. Being the only girl in the family of three is the very challenging since I was given out to be kept by family relatives. My mother took a position to concentrate on educating my two brothers and the responsibility of my education was given to my relatives.
My secondary education was the responsibility of my grandmother. She is my mother’s mother and runs a big family. She is surrounded my many grand children as my uncles (brothers to my mother) are not financially sound enough to support their own families. The small support I would receive from her has seen me through my secondary education.
I now am positive about the future.’