There is great joy for Catherine Chibona Mubanda, a 12-year-old girl from a small township in Livingstone, Zambia, as she successfully advances to Grade 8.
Catherine lives with her mother and is one of the girls supported under the Sponsorship Programme implemented by Response Network in partnership with AKIND. Her hard work and determination have paid off—she passed her Grade 7 examinations with an impressive 725 marks from Victoria Falls Adventist Primary School. She will now begin her secondary education at Gembo High School in Pemba District.
Today, as Response Network distributed school requirements to girls in the sponsorship programme who have progressed to Grade 8, Catherine proudly collected her educational support package. She received one school bag, ten hardcover exercise books, four pens, a ruler, and one mathematical set.
Filled with happiness, Catherine shared her gratitude:
“I feel very thankful because this support helps me with my education. It has reduced the burden on my mother to provide the much-needed school requirements,” she said.
Catherine’s mother, Caroline Mapangani, also expressed her appreciation for the support:
“I am very thankful for this support because my daughter will continue her education due to the assistance she is receiving from Response Network,” she said.
In total, 133 girls transitioning to Grade 8 under the sponsorship programme will each receive a similar school requirements package, including school fees, ensuring that financial challenges do not hinder their access to education.
Through partnerships like this, Response Network and AKIND continue to empower girls by removing barriers to education and supporting their journey toward a brighter future.