Chimwemwe
Meet Chimwemwe, a second year student from Zambia who has been awarded a full scholarship to UWC Atlantic.
"I would have never imagined it to be like this, I was just very surprised and I couldn't believe that I was here.”
Carrying her bags, “all the banging of pots and pans”, she stepped into a place that would soon become a space for growth, belonging and purpose. Now, as a College Ambassador, she often thinks back to that first moment when giving tours, remembering the shock and excitement of arriving.
One of the most influential parts of Chimwemwe’s academic journey has been the Systems Transformation Pathway (STP), which she describes as her favourite class.
“It helps me see structures behind the things that we're learning about. It helped me recognise the structure behind certain things happening in the world right now.”
Through STP, she found language for issues she had witnessed her entire life.
“Certain things were going on right in front of my eyes, but I couldn't put a word to them. And so I studied them in STP and it just made me realise and make sense of everything. And after studying them in the STP, it made me realise and make sense of everything.”
With funding through Lighthouse, our onsite entrepreneurial hub, Chimwemwe developed a Self Directed Intervention (SDI) rooted in her background as the daughter of farmers.
“I come from a family of farmers. We have a backyard garden, we have food right there in our yard, and if we could have it, everybody can, that was the aim of my project.”
She supported the creation of a community garden, providing seeds and an irrigation system. “They started up their own community garden, which was really, really nice.”
Six months on, the impact continues.
“They have harvested the 1st bunch of vegetables. They sold them and they planted some more. Beyond income generation, the garden has helped address food insecurity for children in the community. So I felt really proud and happy that I could give back to the community in some way”.
Alongside her SDI, she also led a Go Make a Difference project focused on menstrual health education in rural schools in Zambia.
“I created workshops in 3 different schools where we discussed menstrual health and menstrual hygiene, and then we taught the girls how to make reusable sanitary towels. It was a bit difficult because menstrual health is still very stigmatised.”
Outside the classroom, friendships and new experiences have shaped her time at UWC Atlantic.
“The friendships I’ve made here have become so important and I really found my people after staying on campus for winter break. I’ve done things here I’ve never imagined, I’ve learned how to swim and became a peer listener. Becoming a Peer Listener has been very rewarding for me. I feel very proud and happy when I know that my peers can trust me.”
Outside the classroom, friendships and new experiences have shaped her time at UWC Atlantic. “The friendships I’ve made here have become so important and I really found my people after staying on campus for winter break. I’ve done things here I’ve never imagined, I’ve learned how to swim and became a peer listener. Becoming a Peer Listener has been very rewarding for me. I feel very proud and happy when I know that my peers can trust me.”
Reflecting on her time at the College, Chimwemwe sees clear personal growth. “I'm definitely not the same person. I know myself better now.”
Supported by her mentor through United Women for Change, she has begun to shape her future with intention. “My mentor who is an alumni has helped me realise how this is my own experience and I can take it and I can shape it myself."
Looking ahead, Chimwemwe hopes to pursue a future connected to food sustainability and international relations. “I really got passionate about food and how I can help people access food sustainably.”
Chimwemwe never imagined herself at UWC Atlantic, yet now she can’t imagine who she would be without it. “It might not change your whole life, but it changes you as a person.”
