The following story was written by a graduate of the Legacy Academy program.
“My name is Arafat Chibamba. I am now 22 years old, the middle child in a family of three boys. My early childhood was filled with joy. My parents raised us to know the word of God, believing it to be the greatest shield we could ever carry in this world. But when I was just seven, my life changed forever.
On September 9, 2010, I lost my father.
Everything good seemed to turn upside down. Relatives we thought we could rely on turned away from us, leaving my mother to carry the burden alone. She worked tirelessly to ensure we stayed in school, even when most days felt like an uphill battle.
One afternoon, my mother came home with a spark of hope. She told us about Family Legacy, an organisation supporting vulnerable children like us. Her excitement was contagious, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a deep sense of reassurance. My name was put forward for sponsorship in 2015. That year, I attended Camp Life, though I wasn’t [sponsored]. The following year, my name was finally included on the list of sponsored children, and I began my studies at Chaisa Legacy Academy in Grade 5.
Family Legacy became a constant source of support, academically, spiritually, and emotionally. I worked hard to excel, my mother and God being my greatest motivators. But tragedy struck again on May 5, 2021, when my mother passed away.
Losing her, my strongest encourager, felt like losing the ground beneath my feet. The pain was overwhelming, but the word of God remained my anchor, even on days when hope felt distant. I pressed on.
During my secondary level at North Secondary LA, I was honoured to serve as a senior prefect and later sat for the grade 12 national examinations in 2023. To me, this was proof that God was still fulfilling His promises.
In 2024, I was selected to take a trades course in catering. I completed it with good grades, adding another stepping stone to my journey. At the start of 2025, I moved to Mumbwa, searching for better opportunities. It was a difficult decision to leave my brothers, who had become my closest family, but I believed it was necessary for my future.
Just when my hope was running out, God made a way.
Family Legacy called to tell me I had been chosen to attend the Baylor [programme], which equips young people with work ethics and career skills. That experience renewed my confidence and reminded me that my journey is still unfolding.
Today, I am grateful to God for using Family Legacy to show me kindness and opportunity. My dream is to become a successful businessman, and I plan to study hotel and business management to achieve that goal. Psalm 119:11 has kept me standing, and I am determined to keep soaring higher, no matter what comes my way.”
After attending the Baylor student-led seminar and Excel Beyond job fair, Arafat got a job with Fortune Foods, a restaurant group operating restaurants and franchises in Zambia.
