Student Profile
| Name: | Phales Mtonga |
| Gender: | Female |
| Date of birth: | 28th May 1992 |
| Place of birth: | Lusaka, Zambia |
| Mother: | Martha Nyirenda |
| Profession: | Unemployed |
| Father: | Peter Mkandawire |
| Profession: | Defence Soldier (Eastern Province, Zambia) |
| Primary School: | Chibelo Basic School |
Family Background:
Phales’ parents do not live together and do not care or provide for her. Her father is a soldier, stationed in the Eastern province of Zambia. Her mother lives in Lusaka, but is unemployed and unable to provide for Phales.
She lives with her brother, Anderson Mtonga, in the Kaunda Square area of Lusaka. He is a primary school teacher at Ibex Hill Boarding School in Lusaka. Kaunda Square, where Phales lives with her brother, is a far distance from Chibelo Basic School, where she attends primary school. Many days, Phales walks to school, which takes her more than one hour. It is another hour’s walk home.
Without a scholarship, Phales’ brother could not afford to continue her education. As a teacher, he values education greatly and hopes that Phales seizes this opportunity.
Phales' Education:
Phales attends Chibelo Primary School, which is far from her home. Unfortunately, she could not get a place at a nearby government school, which is overcrowded. However, Phales enjoys Chibelo School and is learning a lot. Her favorite parts of Chibelo School are the computer lab and the HIV/AIDS Resource Center.
Her favorite subjects are Mathematics, English, Science, and Social Studies.
Outside of class, Phales likes to spend time at the HIV/AIDS Resource Center to learn more about HIV/AIDS.
At Ibex Hill School (Grade 8):
Being in a new environment was a challenge for Phales at the beginning of the school year. There were certain things she had to adapt to, such as the teachers whom she found difficult to understand. As time went on however, she applied herself and focused on her weak subjects and began to show improvement. Her favorite subjects were mathematics and history.
(Grade 9)
In Grade 9, Phales feels that she has improved tremendously. She has gotten higher class positions than she did in grade 8, coming in as high as 3rd position in some of her best subjects. She has mentioned how she hopes to win the most improved student award this year because she has put in a great amount of effort to raise her performance.
Career Interests:
Her career interest is to become a nurse because she likes helping people.
Phales' Interests:
While at Chibelo Basic School, Phales loved helping her brother with the household chores, especially the cooking. She also loved reading books and singing.
At Ibex Hill, she is now part of the soccer, netball and basketball teams. She is also involved in school clubs such as the scripture union club, which teaches her the importance of gratitude.
What his teachers think of him:
Teachers say that Phales is among the best pupils in the class. She has a particularly strong zeal to learn and know more. She is patient, and takes her time when answering questions, but is always effective with her answers. She is an intelligent girl and deserving of a scholarship.
Phales' Thoughts:
“I am enjoying school here at Ibex Hill Secondary School. I enjoy being with other people who are well behaved. I enjoy swimming, the parties we have, and the learning.
As a KF member I have learned that God is there for me because he created you to help other people, and to help me help other people. May he continue blessing us.
I enjoy sharing ideas with other people because it helps us to learn more. I enjoy being with the teachers because they encourage me and tell me what the future is really like and also how to improve in academics.”