By TROY MUKUPA
In a heartwarming display of kindness and generosity, renowned philanthropist Dr. Febian Mumba has come to the aid of 17-year-old Lydia Shamalime, a talented Under-20 and Zambia Institute of Sustainable Development (ZISD) player.
Shamalime, a COSAFA champion and Under-20 Zambian national player, has been struggling to make ends meet. Orphaned at a tender age, she has taken on the responsibility of caring for her 84-year-old grandmother, eking out a meager existence in Lusaka’s Chainda Compound.
Despite her bravery, Shamalime’s emotional plea for help exposed the harsh realities of her daily struggle. With tears streaming down her face, she revealed how she begs people nearly every month-end, just to pay for rentals and buy food for her elderly grandmother.
Shamalime’s heartbreaking story, which highlighted the desperate situation faced by this talented young athlete, went viral after she appealed for help due to her difficult living conditions. Her courage in sharing her story, despite the potential risks to her career, touched many people.
Dr. Febian Mumba, a distinguished philanthropist with a long history of humanitarian work, was deeply moved by Shamalime’s desperate situation. For the past eight years, Dr. Mumba has been dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities across Zambia, providing aid and assistance to those in need. With a strong commitment to giving back to vulnerable groups in communities, Dr. Mumba stepped forward to offer a lifeline of hope.
This afternoon, around 15:00, Dr. Mumba visited the 17-year-old’s home in Lusaka’s Chainda Compound, where she lives with her grandmother, and offered his support.
“It’s utterly devastating to witness a talented young girl like Lydia, who possesses immense potential, struggling to get by,” Dr. Mumba lamented, his voice filled with emotion.
“No child should have to beg for food or shelter, and it’s our responsibility as a community to ensure that they are taken care of. Seeing Lydia’s tears and hearing her story broke my heart, and I felt compelled to intervene and make a difference in her life. I believe that every child deserves a chance to succeed, and I’m committed to helping Lydia achieve her dreams.”
Dr. Mumba’s generosity knew no bounds. He donated K5,000 cash to alleviate Shamalime’s immediate housing struggles, stating that this was a temporary solution to enable the family to move into a more decent and conducive home. He emphasized that this was just the first step, and that he would be working on a more sustainable solution. To that end, Dr. Mumba pledged to acquire a plot of land by next week, at 10 miles area, where he would build a house for Shamalime and her grandmother.
In addition to the housing support, Dr. Mumba also offered Shamalime a 100% scholarship to pursue her education. Noting that her training program runs from 09:00 to 15:00, Dr. Mumba emphasized the importance of education in Shamalime’s life, and committed to ensuring that she receives the educational support she needs to succeed.
Shamalime, who had stopped her education in grade seven, was grateful for the gesture and opportunity given to her. She expressed her willingness to return to school and continue her education, embracing this newfound chance to build a brighter future.
In a significant development, Dr. Mumba has confirmed that Shamalime will receive the full documents to the new plot of land in her name by next week. This will mark a major milestone in Shamalime’s journey towards a more secure and stable future, and will pave the way for the construction of a new home for her and her grandmother.