ChildFund's support allowed me to become a nurse. Now, I'm helping others.

Peter Kambemba, a 2017 graduate of ChildFund's Zambia Nurse and Life Skills Program, smiles in front of the pediatric ward where he currently works. The program, fueled by the MasterCard Foundation and implemented in partnership with Amref Health Africa, trained over 2,000 youth in nursing in response to a national shortage of nurses. It used innovative e-learning methods to make the training accessible even to youth from rural areas, like Peter. Below is the story in his own words.

My name is Peter. I graduated in 2017 as part of the first-ever cohort of nurses trained through e-learning at Mufulira School of Nursing. I ranked as the third-best student in my class, which earned me the privilege of being among 20 newly graduated nurses supported by ChildFund to volunteer during Zambia's cholera outbreak in 2018.

During that outbreak, experienced nurses were deployed to cholera centers, leaving gaps in the general wards. We stepped in as volunteers, working tirelessly for six months, and ChildFund supported us with transport refunds daily. Our commitment and skills earned us recognition, and we were recommended by medical consultants to be offered full-time positions.

I began my career at the University Teaching Hospital in the adult ward. In 2020, I transitioned to the pediatric hospital, which marked the beginning of a new chapter in my professional journey.

Using my skills to help children in Zambia

Everything about pediatrics was unfamiliar initially, but I embraced the challenge as part of my career growth. To advance my expertise, I was sent for a two-year neuroscience training program.

Currently, I work in a busy pediatric ward, caring for children with critical conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy and sickle cell anemia. My role involves administering complex treatments, monitoring seizures and responding to emergencies that arise almost daily.
In addition to providing medical care, I offer emotional support to parents and caregivers, many of whom are deeply distressed. Maintaining patience and a reassuring smile is essential in my role, and I find great fulfillment in my work.

Because of the nature of my work, I am often involved in research and teaching activities. I always say that ChildFund’s training equipped me with skills beyond nursing, and I’m grateful for every opportunity to grow.

I serve patients from diverse economic backgrounds, predominantly from low-income families. Our hospital, being government-funded, offers free services to those in need.

Epilepsy, in particular, is surrounded by myths and stigma. Many families are hesitant to seek help due to misconceptions about the condition. My patients range from newborns to 17-year-olds, though I occasionally care for adults as well.

Giving back for my opportunities

Reflecting on my life before ChildFund fills me with emotion. Sometimes I shed tears because I know I would have been on the street today.

Coming from a poor background, I excelled academically in secondary school but had no hope of pursuing higher education due to financial constraints. For two years, I did odd jobs to make ends meet until I learned about the e-learning nursing project.

ChildFund offered me a full scholarship, changing the journey of my life forever. Without their support, I don’t know where I would be today. I often ask how I can give back to this incredible program, and my friends and I are committed to showing our appreciation in any way we can.

The program has enabled me to achieve milestones I once thought impossible. I now sit on the Epileptic Alliance in Africa, where I collaborate with experts across the continent to improve patient care.

In Zambia, where nurses are not formally trained to manage epilepsy, I use my experience to teach others. I participate in research initiatives and mentor my peers, sharing practical knowledge to enhance epilepsy care nationwide.

My primary focus now is advocating for a formal training program for nurses to specialize in epilepsy care. With over 5,000 epilepsy cases in Zambia and a lack of trained nurses to manage them, this program is urgently needed.

I am determined to lead this change and ensure that every patient receives the care they deserve. The journey has been challenging but fulfilling, and I look forward to making an even greater impact in the coming years.