Northrise University: Transforming Zambia One Student at a Time
2 weeks ago I was lucky enough to spend the week in Ndola, Zambia. I participated in Impact Ndola, a week of service programmed by Northrise University. Northrise University is a higher-education institution founded by Dr. Moffat and Doreen Zimba and located in the heart of Africa with the mission of “transforming Zambia one student at a time.”
I first heard about Northrise several years ago from a number of family friends. I began to learn about the impact the university is having in Zambia. I heard the incredible success stories surrounding the employment and personal development of Northrise students as well as the impact the graduates were having on their communities.
Two years ago I was able to intern in the U.S. offices of Northrise University Initiative, a partner organization committed to raising support for the university. It was a great experience, and I learned even more about this incredible institution.
Since then, I have been dreaming of the day that I would be able to see the university in person. This summer, I got this opportunity, and it exceeded all my expectations.
Above is the team of Northrise students, staff, alumni, and volunteers from the United States. The whole group was split between volunteering at schools, running men's and women's conferences, and various other projects. My group and I served at Arising Life Ministries, a K-7 school for single and double orphans founded by a graduate of Northrise University.
We spent the week running a vacation bible school for the kids. Throughout the day we made crafts, played sports and games, and taught bible stories.
It was an incredible week and was a lot of fun getting to know the kids. One day, we went to a field and taught them how to play baseball and American football. It was so cool getting to see the smiles on their faces as we gave them the equipment and began playing the games with them.
As we began to pack up to leave on the final day, all the kids began swarming us and giving us hugs. Two boys who I had spent a lot of time with throughout the week stayed by my side as most of the others gave a quick hug, hi-five, or said good-bye. One was James, who is pictured at the top. He was a funny guy who figured out a way to get more glitter on his face than his craft one of the days. The other was Winford, who is tough guy and pictured below. He learned baseball super fast and was hitting dingers by the end of the day.
As I began to finish up with the other kids, they both continued to stay close. I got down on a knee to say bye to them. It was so hard. As I tried to encourage them, a single tear rolled down Winford's face.
Before then, I knew I would be back. Since then, I have not stopped thinking about ways to get there as soon as possible. Between the kids I met, the Northrise students who welcomed me, and the presence of God in that country, it was one of the best weeks of my life.
Although it was sad to say good-bye to the kids, I am encouraged by the fact that Northrise and its students will still be there, and that the God who made them will never leave them or forsake them.
Please consider giving to Northrise University as it continues building out its campus and working toward becoming self-sustaining.
https://northrise.org/donate/