HALI students – potential future leaders and those who can influence change through first-hand experience of chronic poverty and associated problems – are those hit hardest by Zambia’s decades of lack of investment in higher education. They leave school with outstanding grades but must wait two years until they are eligible for university in Zambia, and then only if they have a place to study and an appropriate loan. During this waiting period, many lose hope and the cycle of poverty continues.

Our flagship Young Leaders programme runs for approximately 18 months, involving two residential semesters on site and a final semester for projects back at students’ homes and internships. We provide ongoing mentorship during university and into their early careers. Our programme’s foundation lies in four interrelated cornerstones which cover academic development, emotional and physical welfare, development of social consciousness, and university/careers guidance and employability skills.