Jun 23

Jun 23 Chibwe Mwansa Inspires Youth in Africa through Beadwork, Activism, and Service

By Grace Sarkisian | WeINSPIRE Journalist

TAMPA, Florida - Where there's a will, there's a way– Chibwe Mwansa, 22-year-old, can be described as not only a social activist for the underprivileged, but she is also a leader for those that need direction. Mwansa has been a proud ambassador of the WeINSPIRE Movement since last year (2021) and has portrayed great strength and demonstrated tremendous willpower while advocating for numerous social and community causes across villages in Zambia.

Although Chibwe Mwansa is an activist for a range of collective causes, such as active citizenship and self-development, she focuses on the youth of the communities she serves. Earlier this year (2022), President Hakainde Hichilema legalized free primary and secondary education for all in Zambia. As a result, Mwansa has pushed for organizing and volunteering near schools within the communities of Zambia.

“I really believe in the young generation and what we can do - we have a lot of voices…I believe, as a young person, that our voices can be heard; if we stand and say what we want, the government should hear because our voices are very powerful,” Mwansa said.

Chibwe Mwansa. *Courtesy of Chibwe Mwansa.*

In the Fall of 2021, Mwansa applied for and received a $250 mini-grant from the WeINSPIRE Movement. The purpose of this mini-grant was for the money to go towards the Roots of Care Organization. This non-profit group empowers the communities surrounding rural areas of the city of Kitwe, replenishing families with education, food, and other necessities.

Roots of Care is currently emphasizing the “Take a Street Kid Back to School” project, which concentrates on locating children begging off the streets and enrolling these children in school, all while providing them with school supplies and paying any required fees for the school year.

“It was really exciting to receive the mini-grant. I was really happy because this was one thing that I wanted to do within my abilities, which was to get involved with the young people that are in the streets. I have seen that most of the young people run away from their homes and… I think I can find a way in which these people can be helped,” Mwansa said.

So, where is the mini-grant exactly going towards? The funds are going towards items such as pliers, beading thread, and various glass beads. All of these supplies are needed to start a beadwork business that will be used to sell an assortment of handmade jewelry, specifically bracelets, to raise funds for the children enrolling in school.

*Courtesy of* *Roots of Care Instagram*.

Selling these jewelry pieces has resulted in the finances to pay for school uniforms, books, and other supplies, like paper and pencils.

“We wanted to be the voice for children, seeing as the government has made this favor, we should also do a better favor for them by providing these necessities,” Mwansa said.

The Roots of Care Organization has provided low-income families with the tools to help children gain an education. This group has also helped reinstall feelings of hope by sending these adolescents to school with new books and materials, thus increasing the drive to learn in the students.

Chibwe Mwansa with students in Kitwe. *Courtesy of Chibwe Mwansa.*

While there is a lot of attention supporting younger children to get an education, it does not just stop there. Recently, the organization helped aid a woman found on the streets with a child diagnosed with sickle cell disease. The woman was illiterate and had little to no qualifications to work. This July, she will be attending school for six months to learn how to tailor clothing; that way, she can make an income for herself and her child.

Chibwe Mwansa is thankful to the WeINSPIRE Movement for making this vision of serving and supporting the low-income families of Kitwe come alive.

Chibwe Mwansa is also involved in other organizations, such as The Justice Desk, where she serves as a mission ambassador and an in-country ambassador for the Charter for Compassion Women and Girls Organization. Mwansa was first a member of The Justice Desk, which opened the doors for her to form a relationship with the WeINSPIRE Movement.

“I am able to be a voice for justice; I am able to empower, equip, and educate a global society to be active agents of positive change, in whether my own community or around me, I have the power within me,” Mwansa said.

Mwansa has had to learn how to balance her life as a student and as an activist, but her drive to serve those in need has steered the direction of her life into one that is built on the foundation of lending a hand to others.

Chibwe Mwansa is only just getting started in her career of servitude. Mwansa recognizes that her work does not end with aiding the people of Kitwe. She hopes to travel to places, including Nigeria.

“There are so many countries that need help; there are so many vulnerable people that we need to help more, especially in Africa,” Mwansa said.

You can visit her social media here to learn more about Mwansa and her volunteer work in Zambia.