I first met Morgan when he made his living being a paddler of a dugout canoe. This canoe was owned by someone else and he had to pay for the privilege of using it. This left him with very little money to live, even though he was working long days transporting people. What drew my attention to Morgan was that he was reading a book whenever we required his services to cross the river. Reading for pleasure is a rare sight in Lukulu, Zambia! I decided to learn Morgan’s story by casually asking questions. So, during the next two trips I learned he had good Grade 12 results and was a twin. His twin was handicapped and his dream was to do special education. Morgan had the will to learn but not the means, nor the knowledge of how to source assistance at the right time and from whom. I asked him to go to the mission and read a notice, advertising Loreto bursaries. The rest would be up to him. He applied and was accepted for Mongu College of Education. Not only did he complete his studies and go on to teach within the Lukulu District but he is currently fulfilling his dream and doing a degree by distance learning in special education. He has since married and assisted his wife to complete primary teaching training. They have four children. His life and that of his family, are completely transformed because he got the opportunity to get an education and to be a teacher!

Author: Sr Elizabeth Donnan ibvm

Feature image: Mboma Mbuyu ‘Morgan’ teaching his class at Namayula School.