In the heart of a township in Lusaka, stands RIZE Literacy Centre —a beacon of hope, education, and transformation. Founded with a vision to break barriers and ignite the flame of literacy, RIZE is more than just a centre for learning; it’s a sanctuary where dreams take flight and futures are shaped.
Inspiration Behind RIZE: A Conversation with Neboth Chalwe
The seeds of RIZE were sown in the heart of Neboth Chalwe, the visionary founder whose own journey of transformation began with a single word: “chair.” In a touching reflection, Neboth shares, “I was about 10 years old at school, when I read one word on the board—’chair.’ I had been struggling to learn how to read and when I finally put the letters and sounds together and read the word out loud, everyone started clapping. There was such joy in the room. At that moment, I realised the power of literacy to set one free.”
From its humble beginnings in 2014, today RIZE—Reducing Illiteracy in Zambia through Education—stands as a testament to its core mission: literacy for all.
Challenges and Triumphs: A Journey of Resilience
The path of RIZE has been fraught with challenges, from power outages during evening classes to financial constraints that threatened its very existence. However, through unwavering dedication and divine providence, RIZE persevered, touching the lives of countless children and their communities.
According to Neboth, the partnership with Zahra Media Group – formed seven years ago – marked a turning point in RIZE’s journey. With Zahra’s support, the school was able to upgrade its infrastructure which led to an increase in enrolments and greater financial stability, paving the way for a brighter future. With only 70 students and two teachers seven years ago, today school numbers stand at 254 students, eight teachers and one caretaker.
From the provision of desks, to the building of an ablution block, to quarterly financial support, Zahra’s impact has been greatly felt at RIZE. Neboth fondly recalls the pivotal moment when Zahra’s support ignited a newfound sense of possibility and purpose within RIZE. “That day, things changed, even in my mind, because when they were talking to me and listening to the way we run the school and also observing what goes on, and then giving me advice… what they have done is beyond my expectations. It made me think okay, then our vision will come true, which we are now seeing. Because until then, we had never even had a single child who participated in the NAZMAC-M (state national exams). Two years later, one child participated and passed with flying colours. Since then each year the number of students who are now writing these national exams has increased and they are doing well. It’s my hope and prayer that these students will keep going until they finish school.”
Future Vision: Building Dreams, One Child at a Time
As RIZE looks to the future, the vision is clear: to build a future where every child has access to quality education and opportunity. With hopes to secure a piece of land on which to build a permanent centre and expand its reach, RIZE remains steadfast in its commitment.
In the shorter term, the priority is protecting the students and teachers of RIZE from the current Cholera outbreak in Zambia – the worst it has seen in 20 years and one that has seen schools and universities shuttered since the end of December. As such Zahra will be providing support so that the school can make itself Cholera safe in time for school reopening later in February. This includes building an additional flushable toilet and financing the supply of chlorine, cleaning chemicals, bottled drinking water and first aid supplies.
Supporting RIZE: A Call to Action
As RIZE continues to do its fantastic work, there are several ways to offer support:
1. Technical Assistance: Share expertise and guidance to enhance RIZE’s educational programs and operations. This is a major focus for the year ahead.
2. Financial Contributions: Support RIZE’s mission by providing financial assistance to fund infrastructure, teacher salaries, and educational resources.
3. Advocacy and Awareness: Raise awareness about RIZE’s work and the importance of literacy in transforming lives and communities.
Together, we can empower dreams, ignite possibilities, and change lives. Join us in the journey of RIZE, where every word written is a step toward a brighter future.
For further information or if you would like to get involved please contact Gina Miltiadou at gmiltiadou@zahramediagroup.com
Note: We are currently testing various AI content creation tools on the content we create for ourselves, to see if and how they could integrate into our workflow. This article was a collaboration between Gina, Neboth, ChatGPT & Transcribe and according to AI Detector Quillbot, 25% AI content was detected in this article. The use of ‘Divine providence’ was definitely an AI offering…not a word I would use, but gratefully received given that Neboth is such a religious man. So it had to stay!
