Celebrating 6 Years of Transformation: How Gardening and Knitting Are Changing Lives at Read for Rose
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.
Febby, the Director of Special Education, enjoys showing Peter how to take care of the garden.
As the Read for Rose Special Education Program marks its 6th anniversary, it celebrates not just its longevity but the transformative impact it has had on its 37 students. Two standout initiatives—the Community Gardening Project and the Doormat Knitting Project—have become pillars of empowerment, equipping students with life skills, fostering independence, and creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
From Soil to Sustenance: The Community Gardening Project
What started as a small garden has flourished into a multi-site initiative that feeds not only the students at Read for Rose but also over 320 children who take part in the Nutrition Program each day at the Amos Youth Centre. This project has become a source of pride, skill-building, and community impact teaching children and youth about the importance of nutrition and food security in outdoor classrooms while growing healthy vegetables for the feeding program.
For Wisdom, an autistic student, gardening has provided structure and purpose. With the guidance of the Director of Special Education, Febby Choombe, and Teacher Annie Nyambe, he follows a routine of watering and weeding three times a week. His dedication has inspired his peers, including Hillary and Joshua, two students with Down Syndrome, who love picking fresh vegetables from the garden.
A Harvest to Remember
One of the most memorable moments was when students harvested 50 kilograms of vegetables. They sold some to neighbors and staff members while using the rest to prepare wholesome meals at both centers. For Peter, a 20-year-old student with a learning disability who has been part of the program since its inception, gardening is more than an activity—it’s his passion and future career. Peter now earns income by helping community members manage their gardens, using his earnings to support his family and buy school essentials.
“Gardening isn’t just about growing food; it’s about growing confidence and independence.”
Weaving Independence: The Doormat Knitting Project
Linda enjoys making doormats and selling them to her neighbors.
Launched in 2022, the Doormat Knitting Project was designed to teach practical life skills while improving fine motor coordination. In just three years, it has evolved into a self-sustaining initiative that empowers students both financially and creatively. For Susan, a deaf student, knitting doormats has become her passion. She can complete a doormat in just two days and sells them within the community. Her earnings contribute to the feeding program and fund materials for future projects.
The project generates approximately $25 annually from the sale of doormats. Visitors to the center often request custom-made designs, turning this initiative into an entrepreneurial venture. Mwiza, who has a learning disability, uses her earnings from selling $2 doormats to buy personal care items like lotion—a small but significant step toward self-reliance.
Linda, who lives with a physical disability, creates colorful mats that are highly sought after at local markets. Inspired by her success, she dreams of pursuing tailoring to expand her skills further. “I love doormat knitting because it’s given me a skill I can build on,” she shares proudly.
A Legacy of Impact
These two projects embody Read for Rose’s mission: transforming disabilities into abilities through inclusive education and skill-building. Over six years, these initiatives have not only enriched the lives of students but also strengthened their communities by fostering independence and creating economic opportunities.
As Read for Rose looks ahead to its next chapter, it remains committed to nurturing potential—one garden bed and one doormat at a time.
Join us in celebrating six years of impact by supporting our programs or visiting our center to see these initiatives in action.
