Edward’s Story
Over two decades ago I sat in a classroom in Northern Utah learning how to apply
algebraic concepts to the real world. As a fifteen-year-old I knew little about the finances of
society. He began to explain the concept of overhead and how those costs are deducted from any
charitable contributions. Sagely, he invited us to explore this in our
futures before committing to any support, ensuring we are informed.
In an off-hand manner he mentioned a charity about Zambian schools
with no overhead promising the entire donation to go to the cause, to
the people. Four years later I was a young adult with a bank account
and an Amazon Smile account. When selecting which charity to
sponsor my teacher’s words came to my head, and I searched
Zambia. Up popped a charity from Bear River, UT. I recalled that he mentioned the area at times,
and selected it. In the years that followed I became more involved with donations and discovered
that my math teacher was (and still is, bless them) the husband of the founder and president of
ZSF, Peggy Rogers. What a small world!
My professional career led me to become a teacher myself and eventually overseas to
international schools. While teaching in Germany during the
pandemic, I felt impressed to give more. For years I had wanted to
volunteer my time and visit Zambia hoping to offer some
expertise. In summer of 2024, I had my first chance. I have been
teaching for close to fifteen years. My times with the students and
teachers of Zambia renewed my faith and my hope for education.
It empowered me to return to my own school and students, now in the country of Georgia in
eastern Europe, reinvigorated for learning. This past summer I had the opportunity to return
again – two years in a row! I have made true friends. Our most trusted head on the ground,
Tobias Mangani is close to a brother now. All board members have carved a place in their heart
for me, and I for them. Also an elementary teacher named Friday has become a wonderful
texting partner. The love and acceptance I felt from so many wonderful people engaged my soul
and reminded me to be humble and kind. Being a part of this charity has made me a better human
being. One of my greatest opportunities is supporting a teacher’s salary. Teachers are not known
to make a lot of money – anywhere really. I can’t imagine working on a solely voluntary basis.
Moses Mulenga gifted me a beautiful chicken as a gift of gratitude
while I was there. It was my honor to meet him and all the another
dedicated educators we support. They inspire me to use the best
practice in my teaching every day in my own classroom.
Lastly, and most importantly, there are the students. I spoke with so
many of them. My American accent sometimes quite humorous to
them. Without hesitation, students would describe and explain their struggles. Neither were they
ashamed, nor discouraged. They were resilient and dogged. Professionally I teach both general
education for part of the day and special education for
part of the day. I cannot close this short writing without
my immense gratitude and respect to the Zambian people
and to this fund for the incredible inclusion of students
with disabilities. We giggled and connected with my
limited ASL. Every child wants to learn, grow, and excel. ZSF provides tuition, materials,
sometimes on-campus housing for so many pupils. Still, when I walked into the rooms of these
special students who in many other places and by many other organizations would have been
rejected, my heart was overfull. There is much hate and anger in the world. To be with these
children, all the children of ZSF, was a gift. As I end this piece, I think of a phrase I once told my
own father sometime ago, “Kindness isn’t meant to be earned; it is meant to be given.” Thank
you to all of the other donors. We are doing great things. I have been there. I have seen it. Thank
you for joining me in this splendid work.
Edward