The success of Africa Directions is best illustrated by the impact its programmes and staff have had on the lives of the many youth that have passed through its doors. From humble backgrounds, these young people were given the guidance and support they needed to develop their talents and have gone on to become famous artists, sportsmen and women, business executives, social workers and leaders in their community. The individuals highlighted still maintain a relationship with the center and a desire to give back to their communities.
Read their stories:
Dalisoul, born Madaliso Phiri, grew up in Mtendere compound, alongside his 9 siblings, just a stone’s throw away from Africa Directions (AD). Dalisoul was interested in music from a young age, first performing in his church choir. However, it was the staff at AD who first discovered and tapped his talent as a musician. AD held regular talent search competitions where local youth came to perform and Dalisoul was among these aspiring artists. Read more...
Tom Njovu, who plays the popular “Limbikani” character in the local hit TV soap “Banja,” was one of the original members of Africa Directions. He joined the theatre group in 2000 when AD was first opened. When he was growing up in Mtendere, Tom says there were no real role models for youth. Read more...
Izek Jere is the forth-born of five boys. He grew up in Woodlands, a middle-to-upper class suburb in Lusaka. Following the untimely death of his father, his family relocated to Mtendere compound. This was a very difficult change for Izek; at the young and impressionable age of 13, he now found himself out of his element and surrounded by a much rougher crowd. Read more...
“Growing up in Zambia as a girl is very challenging, especially in a rough area like Mtendere. If you are weak, you won’t make it. You need to be sharp, physically and mentally. ” These are the words of Esther Phiri, now a world-renowned boxer and holder of five world title belts. Read more...
While Alice Lungu came to Africa Directions later in life than most, its impact on her life was not less for it. Alice Lungu grew up on the Copperbelt province of Zambia, in a family of eight. After completing her grade 12, she moved to Lusaka to stay with her sister. While she had received great marks in her exams and was accepted into several colleges, her family was not in a position to send her for further studies. Read more...
Grace Lungu, Alice’s young sister, also found herself a regular at AD though not of her own will. “I finally cracked and went just to get my sister off my back!” Grace laughs as she recalls Alice’s persistence in trying to get her to join. Grace says she couldn’t have been more different from her sister, “Alice was always so out-going and articulate, whereas I was a very timid and shy child.” Read more... |