The Story of Lead Me Back Foundation
For those who may not yet know, what inspired you to start Lead Me Back Foundation, and what is the core mission behind it?
Growing up, I was raised by a very hardworking woman, “my mother,” who, despite not having formal employment and facing constant financial challenges, went to work every day with one purpose: to make sure my sister and I had access to education. Because she strongly believed education is the greatest equaliser.
She always said, “Everyone deserves a chance and a champion.” I was so lucky she was my champion who gave me a chance to have an education. Unfortunately, as I grew older, I came to realise that there are many children in our communities who do not have that champion. Too many grow up without access to an education. That reality became my call to action. It is why we started Lead Me Back Foundation: to be that champion for children who need one, giving them access to education, support, and opportunities that can transform their lives.
This is why the core mission of the foundation is to be a beacon of hope for vulnerable. children, being the champion that gives them a chance when no one else does. Through the foundation, I carry forward my mother’s spirit, her belief that every child deserves a chance and a champion, turning her sacrifices into a movement that restores hope and builds futures.
Lead Me Back Foundation supports children through education and healthcare. Could you tell us a story of impact, a moment where you’ve seen the difference the foundation is making?
There are so many stories that have impacted me at the foundation, but one that stands out is Jacob’s. Growing up in Ndola with his mother and three siblings, he faced challenges that might have held him back. His mother worked tirelessly selling food at the market, but her income was often insufficient to cover the costs of all the required school essentials. Some days, going to school felt impossible, not because Jacob didn’t love learning, but because the barriers seemed too high.
In 2022, we enrolled him in our education programme. With that support, Jacob could focus on what truly mattered: his education. His dedication paid off. He achieved the highest score in his Grade 7 exams and earned a place at David Kaunda National STEM School, Zambia’s top STEM school. Today, he is in Form One, chasing his dream of becoming a medical doctor.
What makes his story especially close to my heart is how much it mirrors my own. Like me, Jacob was raised by a single mother who sacrificed so much to give him a chance at education. Seeing him walk a path so similar to mine and knowing the foundation played a role in opening doors for him is a powerful reminder of why we do this work, to be a champion and give every child the chance to change their story.
You are now running a feeding programme, and it was selected to conduct a fundraiser on Global Giving. What is the project about?
TUMMY2CLASS is our school feeding programme aimed at fighting classroom hunger and improving school attendance and participation for children. For some of the children we serve, this is the only meal they eat in a day. Without proper nutrition, many struggle to focus, participate, or even stay in school.
We launched our pilot programme at Lotus Community School in Ndola, providing daily nutritious meals to 100 children. Beyond just feeding, the programme includes health screenings, community engagement, and training for cooks to ensure the meals are healthy, safe, and sustainable.
Being selected for a GlobalGiving fundraiser gives us the chance to expand this programme, reach more vulnerable children, and ensure that hunger never stands in the way of learning. At its heart, TUMMY2CLASS is about giving children the fuel they need to grow, thrive, and succeed in school and in life.
GlobalGiving provides a worldwide platform for fundraising. Why is it important for Lead Me Back Foundation to connect with supporters on a global stage?
Connecting with supporters on a global stage through GlobalGiving is crucial for Lead Me Back Foundation because it allows us to share the stories of children in Zambia with a wider audience and attract the support needed to expand our programmes. Many of the communities we serve face systemic challenges, limited access to education, healthcare, and basic resources, and local support alone cannot meet all these needs.
GlobalGiving provides the platform to reach donors who believe in our mission, enabling us to scale projects like TUMMY2CLASS, provide sustainable support, and create meaningful change. It also opens doors to global partnerships and knowledge exchange, strengthening our ability to innovate and impact more lives. Ultimately, it’s about showing these children that they are not forgotten, that the world sees them, and that together we can help them achieve their full potential.
Passport to Purpose is such a powerful theme. Can you share what it means, your goals, and how supporters can get involved?
Passport to Purpose is more than just a campaign; it’s an invitation for supporters around the world to step into the lives of children in Zambia and help change their stories. The goal is simple but powerful: to raise USD 3,000 to provide daily nutritious meals for children for an entire school term, ensuring that hunger never stands in the way of their learning, growth, and dreams.
The campaign will run from 8th to 12th September 2025, and every donation made during this period will be matched, doubling the impact of every contribution. Supporters can get involved by donating, sharing the campaign with their networks, and championing the idea that every child deserves the fuel to learn and the chance to thrive. Through Passport to Purpose, each supporter becomes a vital part of creating brighter, healthier, and more hopeful futures for children who need it most.
Leading a foundation like yours can be both inspiring and challenging. What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned on this journey?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that leadership is about persistence and belief in your mission, even when the challenges feel overwhelming. Impact rarely happens overnight, and every obstacle is an opportunity to innovate, adapt, and find new ways to serve those who need us most.
What is your long-term vision for the foundation, and how will events like Passport to Purpose help you get there?
Our long-term vision for Lead Me Back Foundation is to create a sustainable ecosystem where every vulnerable child has access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Events like Passport to Purpose help us move toward that vision by mobilising resources, raising awareness, and connecting us with supporters who share our mission. Campaigns like this provide the fuel to expand programmes such as TUMMY2CLASS, scale our impact, and ensure more children can reach their full potential.
For more information on Lead Me Back Foundation, and how you can support them, visit their website or keep up to date with their activities and fundraising campaigns on LinkedIn and Instagram.
