Student Profile
| Name: | Iwell Banda |
| Gender: | Male |
| Date of birth: | 31st December 1991 |
| Place of birth: | Lusaka, Zambia |
| Mother: | Agnes Njobvu |
| Profession: | Maid |
| Father: | Iwell Banda |
| Profession: | Gardener |
| Primary School: | Chibelo Basic School |
Family Background:
Iwell's father was born in the village in Katete and never attended school. He married in the village and had one child (Iwell’s older brother) before moving to Lusaka to look for employment. He was able to find employment as a private gardener in Lusaka, which earns him money to support and feed his family. The same family that employs Iwell’s father also employs his mother. She works as the family’s maid. They live in small quarters in the backyard of their employer’s property. Iwell grew up there and attended Chibelo Basic School which is not far from the property.
Neither Iwell’s mother nor father attended school and are both illiterate. They do not understand English yet still passionately express their support and pride about Iwell’s success in school
Iwell has 2 sisters and 5 brothers. The oldest child, one of Iwell’s brothers, has returned to Katete where he is a farmer. One of Iwell’s older sisters is married and living with her husband. Only one of the children is formally employed – Iwell’s older brother who works as a gardener in Lusaka. Three of the children, including Iwell, are still attending school.
Iwell's Education:
Iwell started school in 2002 at Chibelo Basic Primary School and earned outstanding grades since the very beginning. He was a particularly high-achieving boy and earned the top academic position in his class every year since Grade 1. He noted on his application to KF that his favorite part of Chibelo School is how they teach.
Iwell's favorite subjects are mathematics, social studies, and English.
Outside of class, Iwell is an active member of the HIV/AIDS resource center at Chibelo School, where he learns about HIV/AIDS as well as works as a peer counselor and educator.
At Ibex Hill School (Grade 8):
Iwell has been a high-achieving student and outstanding citizen at Ibex Hill Secondary School since starting in January 2007. In Grade 8, Iwell demonstrated his ability from Term 1 when he earned the 5th academic position in his grade. However, by the end of the year, Iwell truly shined and earned the top academic position in Grade 8. At the end of the school year, he earned the Most Outstanding Student award.
(Grade 9)
In Grade 9, he has continued to blossom and continues to hold the top academic position. His teachers are impressed by Iwell’s determination and focus. His favorite subject in Grade 9 is Math. Iwell is particularly focused on earning high marks on the upcoming national examination, given at the end of Grade 9. His preparations have been rigorous, including extra lessons during the school holidays.
At the 2008 awards ceremony, Iwell received an award for achieving the 1st position in Grade 9A.
(Ibex Hill gives awards for the 1st, 2nd position and most improved student for every grade level.)
Iwell's Interests:
Iwell loves to play football (soccer), and excels in this sport at Ibex Hill. He plays goalkeeper for the Ibex Hill team and was the first 8th grader in the school’s history to earn a Varsity letter in football. In Grade 9, he has continued to play goalkeeper, but occasionally playing the forward position when needed.
He is also an active member of the Debate Club, which he joined to improve his confidence when speaking in public. Iwell has enjoyed his experience in the Debate Club and actively encourages other KF students to join him.
In Grade 9, Iwell was elected by the other boys to serve as his dormitory captain.
What his teachers think of him:
Iwell's teachers say that he is a well behaved pupil who is intelligent and listens to advice. They think he can succeed and has the ability to succeed eventually at university, if given the opportunity.
Iwell's Thoughts:
“Before I joined KF in 2006, I always dreamed of going to a private school. I was at a government school and I never used to participate in many activities, especially poetry. I never used to feel shy about who I was, although life was so difficult for me. I was playing with friends who were bad and used to take drugs, but I managed to control myself…
A lot has changed in my family because of KF. At home now they even find enough money to buy food and they do not even have any problems when paying school fees for my brother which is a very important thing. When I am at home I do not even trouble them about buying me clothes, shoes and text books for studying because there is a great help that is making our family better and simple…
My first goal is to be the highest in the Grade Nine final examinations and to become a doctor in future. I began to have this goal when I received the KF sponsorship. This goal came to me in a form of a dream and I will have to make sure to achieve it and to become a doctor with the support that KF is giving me. I would also like to make sure that when there is someone who needs help from me, I will be giving it to them because I know how it feels to be helped by somebody. I know how happy it is when you are being helped by someone else.”