SCHOOL FEES FOR STUDENTS

Many children in Zambia do not have access to education because they have either lost their parents (one or both) or their parents are too impoverished to pay for the school costs.    Public schools are considered "free" for attendance, but students still need to pay for shoes, uniforms, books and school supplies.  Usually, most families can afford these minimal costs of about $60 a year, but there are families that cannot afford even this small amount, especially if they have several children. 

Beginning in grade 8, it becomes much more difficult for Zambian children to go to school.   Fees are much higher, averaging about $150 per year, and sometimes there is not a secondary school within walking distance, so a student would have to leave home and rent a room in a house in town (adding an additional cost).   Many students from village areas drop out of school at this point.   Leaving the protection of home, young girls are especially vulnerable to being preyed upon by men and often become pregnant or infected with HIV.    Then they must drop out of school.   Staying home in the village isn't much better for girls, who are married off to older men at young ages if their family is not able to afford a secondary education for them.

AFSIA sponsors both orphaned children and children whose parents are unable to afford school fees.   Some parents are ill or disabled, and unable to work.  Some caretakers are grandparents and uneducated.   Some students have been totally abandoned by various life situations and are living on their own.

AFSIA sponsors students about 300 students in many different schools in northern Zambia.  Some students are from rural villages and some are from city compounds.  Most are secondary students.   You can read more about some of the specific stories of students that we sponsor under the IMPACT tab.

If you would like to help in continuing the effort of educating the future generation of Zambian leaders, teachers, and medical workers, etc, you can donate through the DONATE tab.