Student Profile
| Name: | Sonia Zulu |
| Gender: | Female |
| Date of birth: | 4th July 1992 |
| Place of birth: | Lusaka, Zambia |
| Stepmother: | Loda Tembo Zulu |
| Profession: | Housewife | Father: | Joseph Zulu |
| Profession: | Gardener |
| Primary School: | Chibelo Basic School |
Family Background:
Sonia’s father was born in 1966 in Katete, and moved to Lusaka with his father during his childhood. He attended Lusaka Boys High School where he completed Grade 7. Sadly, his father died soon afterwards, and he was forced to discontinue his education, since there was no one to support him financially. He then started working as a gardener, which he continues to this day. He now works in the Woodlands area of Lusaka. He married and had Sonia, his first born child. However, he has now re-married and has had five more children with Mrs. Tembo Zulu.
Including the six children and one of Sonia’s aunts, Sonia’s father financially provides for nine people in their household. Sonia’s stepmother is not currently employed. The father cannot continue to support all the children, and Sonia would have to stop her education after Grade 7, if not for a scholarship.
Sonia's Education:
Sonia started school at Woodlands A Primary. She was there from Grade 1 up to Grade 7. She sat her Grade 7 exams but failed to qualify to Grade 8. Her father then decided to take Sonia to Chibelo School to repeat Grade 7 and try again to qualify for Grade 8. Sonia has had a strong year at Chibelo School and has earned the fourth position in her class.
Her favourite subjects are English and Social Studies. She earns her highest grades in English. In her application, Sonia wrote that she enjoys school because she likes the teachers.
At Ibex Hill Secondary School (Grade 8):
Throughout her first year at Ibex Hill, Sonia enjoyed the opportunity to learn new things in a new atmosphere. She was excited to learn the word “bonjour” as she took her first foreign language class. Although she was nervous about learning a new language, she eventually grew confident in her desire to understand it. Her favorite subjects were Geography, History, Religious Education and English. Science was not her strongest subject; however she did grow more interested in it and studied hard enough to make a notable improvement.
(Grade 9)
Though grade nine has been more challenging, as expected, Sonia has improved in French and understands a lot more of the language. She has improved in her punctuality and time management. With a more effective use of time, Sonia feels she has been able to study better this year. One important thing to note is that she is so well behaved that she has been elected as the class Monitor. She is very mature and responsible, and has earned the trust of her peers and teachers.
Career Interests:
Her career interest is to become a journalist. She is grateful for a scholarship from KF because she wants to help her country, Zambia.
Sonia's Interests:
While in primary school, Sonia would usually help her stepmother with household chores such as cleaning the house, cooking and looking after her siblings. She loved playing with the children, watching television, reading stories and visiting friends.
At Ibex Hill, Sonia had the desire to be active in sports, but some health issues restricted her from doing so. Instead she joined a scripture union club because of her love for reading.
What the teachers think of Sonia:
Sonia’s teachers at Chibelo praised her and described her as one of the best pupils in the class. She is both quiet and smart. The teachers were aware of the difficult financial situation in Sonia’s family and believed that she was a deserving student for the scholarship.
Sonia's Thoughts:
“Being part of the Kucetekela Foundation encourages me and helps me carry on. It really helps me focus and concentrate on my academic work. I have experienced a lot of things and learned a lot from my friends in the KF family. I have learned that hard work and determination is the key to success. There is a lot of competition in my class and that also drives me to work hard because I do not want to fail.
I appreciate KF for sending me to this school where I have learned a lot more than just academics. I now associate with a lot people and I have made a lot of friends from different provinces. I will never follow people with bad behavior. I have learned to put God first and to work to the fullest in order to achieve good things in life as well as to make sponsors happy and proud. I do not want my sponsors to lose hope in me including my family.”