From Dreams to Healing Hands: Bernard's Motivational Story of Education and Empathy
By Annabel Mumba
Annabel Mumba is AYC’s Donor Relations Coordinator in Zambia. She is a Scholarship Fund recipient, high school graduate and current college student, and also one of our Success Stories.
Co-written by Pamela O’Brien, African Education Program’s Development Director, who is mentoring Annabel as she pursues a journalism degree.
Benard graduated from the University of Zambia.
Bernard's journey from a small village in Zambia to becoming a doctor is a testament to the power of education, resilience, and community support. His story begins with the intervention of Mrs. Banda, a dedicated counselor who used to work at Amos Youth Centre (AYC) who had an incredible ability for uplifting the youth in their community. Recognizing Bernard's academic potential in the 8th grade, Mrs. Banda urged him to pursue his dreams and a higher education.
From the moment Bernard set foot in AYC in 2010, his life took a transformative turn. The holistic programs at the Centre provided him not only with academic support but also became a safe space for him to connect with volunteers from the U.S.-based African Education Program including Co-Founder, Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza and her mother, Mama Mario, who encouraged and inspired him. Their impact on his life was profound, guiding him through academic challenges during his educational journey.
Bernard's academic path was a challenging yet rewarding journey. He navigated through Shikoswe Basic School and Naboye Secondary School, overcoming the absence of his father and the financial hardships of being raised by a single mother. His childhood dreams of becoming a pilot shifted to a passion for medicine after reading an inspirational book written by a doctor.
Benard shared, “My childhood dream was to be a pilot, as I fancied how the pilots could fly a plane up in the skies and I always wanted to learn to fly. However, by the time I reached my 8th grade, I became inspired by a doctor who wrote a book called “Think Big”. It was from that time that I developed an interest and wanted to become a doctor. I was convinced without a reasonable doubt that I was born to be a doctor.”
A Bright Future Despite Past Adversity
Despite the adversities, Bernard pursued his dream relentlessly. By 2016, he enrolled at the University of Zambia school of Natural Sciences to conquer his dreams, thanks to AYC’s College Scholarship Fund. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology in 2021, he continued into the School of Medicine at the University of Zambia. Completing his 7th and final year in 2023, Bernard graduated with a Bachelor's of Medicine and a Bachelor's of Surgery in April 2024.
Bernard's journey is a tribute to the strength instilled in him by his mother and siblings. Raised in a single-parent household, he views the challenges he faced as blessings in disguise, shaping him into the resilient individual he is today. His mother, full of strength and determination, remains his greatest hero.
He is currently residing in Lusaka and engages in volunteer work at Maina Soko Hospital and occasionally pursues small businesses while awaiting formal employment. He emphasizes the responsibility he feels toward his community, pledging to use his acquired knowledge to contribute positively to their health. His volunteerism at the hospital allows him to live his dream and help countless people that are admitted at the hospital for medical care. He shares that he has learnt priceless skills and lessons that he will apply once he begins to work and aim to improve the health service delivery to the people.
Beyond personal success, Bernard envisions a future where he gives back to his community and the younger generation. He would like to establish an organization providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children, fostering a platform for skill development. His dream also includes owning a hospital, ensuring the community has easy access to essential health services, echoing the belief that "health is wealth."
“As a graduate, I owe my community a great responsibility, especially where health matters are concerned, with the knowledge that I have acquired over the years. I also stand to be an inspiration to most of the young ones who are still in school and are still trying to figure themselves out. And to my family, I am a gift to them, as a family doctor they can always look to.”
Making A Difference In The Community
Bernard's commitment to giving back extends to AYC, where he actively encourages current students to seize the opportunities provided, offering career guidance and participating in activities that align with his capabilities.
Outside the busy life of serving and running the corridors of Maina Soko Hospital, Bernard loves to play the guitar and a game of football.
As Bernard looks towards the future, his story serves as an inspiring narrative of triumph over adversity, an inspiration for those facing challenges, and a reminder that education, support, and determination can lead to extraordinary success especially when you have the right people supporting you.
