Biemba (left) with his mother and brother
Student Profile
| Name: | Biemba Kayawe |
| Gender: | Male |
| Date of birth: | 4th March 1994 |
| Place of birth: | Mufulira, Zambia |
| Mother: | Juliet Lubumbe |
| Profession: | Sells Vegetables and Chickens |
Family Background:
Biemba’s father left his mother when he was a young child. At the time, the family was living in the Copperbelt district. Biemba’s mother has only one sibling, a sister who lives in Chamba Valley, outside of Lusaka. After her husband left her, Biemba’s mother decided to move with her two sons to her sister’s house in Chamba Valley.
Biemba’s mother was not welcomed into her sister’s house by her brother-in-law. Instead, the brother-in-law offered her a place to rent – a small, unfinished, primitive structure for which she pays K300,000 (approximately $80) each month.
After her two boys leave for school each morning, Biemba’s mother cleans her sister’s house and helps to feed their chickens. She then buys twenty chickens from her brother-in-law and walks for one hour to the market in Kaunda Square. She has her own customers and she is usually able to sell all the chickens by evening. She also tends a vegetable garden, from which she is able to pluck vegetables every five days and sell them. Biemba’s mother is hard working and she is currently trying to extend her vegetable garden so that she can increase her sales. She is barely able to pay her rent each month, but she has persevered and she is proud that her family has never gone hungry.
Biemba’s mother says that Biemba is hard working and has never let her down. He often helps her in the garden and helps to feed the chickens. When he’s not working in the garden, Biemba is studying.
Biemba’s mother says that she will do anything to help her sons succeed in life. She will visit her son at his secondary school, even if the distance is great. She does not have enough money to take the bus, but she will walk to the school in order to support her son.
Biemba's Education:
While attending his primary school, Biemba woke up everyday at 4:30 a.m. His mother helped him get ready, and fed him and his brother some porridge. At 5:30 a.m., Biemba and his brother walk to school. It takes them one hour to reach school. His favorite subjects at school were English, Social Studies and Science.
Biemba and his brother choose to walk in order to save money for their mother and family.
Biemba's Interests:
Reading, football and listening to gospel music. Biemba hopes to be a doctor so that he can relieve pain in others.
What his teachers think of him:
Teachers say that Biemba is an amazing student. Despite the long walk each morning, his teachers proudly state that Biemba has never been late to school. Biemba’s mother also says that her son is a good listener, intelligent, and very obedient.