Access to Education

We believe that every child has the right to an education. We work in vulnerable communities where households struggle to find money for fees, uniforms and equipment. Financial insecurity is not the only challenge these children face. Zambia has one of the highest rates of child marriage and teenage pregnancy in the world. Early marriage and teenage pregnancy can lead to girls leaving education, while boys may abandon their schooling to earn money for their household or to herd animals.

This is particularly true for orphans and vulnerable children, which is why supporting them to complete their schooling is at the heart of our work. We aim to provide every child in our community groups with:

· Fees for schooling, whenever required

· Uniform and shoes

· Books and equipment

· Extra tuition for children preparing for exams

· Access to our Wellbeing programme, which provides holistic support and reduces the risks that lead to children dropping out of school

· Belonging to the BFZ community, through weekly meetings, training workshops and events such as our annual prize giving and Young People’s Day

BFZ currently enables 90 children to attend primary or secondary school.

We aim to identify and reach the most vulnerable children and to ensure that every child, including those with disabilities, can access education.

You can help us give children a brighter future and join the fight against child poverty by becoming a regular donor.

Skills Training and Tertiary Education

We want every child we support to look forward to a bright future, where they can express their individual talents and achieve a secure livelihood.

We offer post-school support to young people in our communities through:

· Skills training in bricklaying and plastering, catering, tailoring or agriculture

· Equipment and materials, such as a laptop or protective clothing, to launch their careers after training

· Mentoring and guidance to navigate career pathways and access further and higher education

· Sponsorship to college or university for young people who achieve the highest academic results in their school education

BFZ has supported young people in our communities to become doctors, nurses, clinical officers, teachers and veterinary advisors, and to secure jobs in the agriculture, catering, tailoring, hotel, health and building sectors.

In 2026 a further three students who have been supported by BFZ since their primary school days graduated from tertiary education: two with nursing & midwifery qualifications and one with a degree in finance.

Chandra (supported through BFZ School Sponsorship and Skills Training Programme):

“I did catering and home management, it has helped me a lot, I learned a lot. How to cook, to bake, to make beds. It’s helped me and I’m working now in the front of house, housekeeping and kitchen (of a local lodge hotel) and I am happy I am working and I have skills of how to cook and housekeep. I say thank you very much to those that have helped me.”

Benson, who was supported by BFZ from 2017-2025. He is applying for bursaries to enable him to study at university where he wants to learn about climate resistant agriculture:

We enjoyed the kind of meal that you never had the opportunity to have at home. It helps us get a balanced diet and we look healthy. I have completed school and I got nice grades and I am just hoping that I will go to the university. The group really helped me a lot, and I thank you very much.”

You can help us support young people to reach their potential and achieve secure livelihoods by becoming a regular donor.