Edith Muchele (LSZ-008)

My name is Edith and I was born May 13, 2000. I stay in Lukata village, which is about 5 km off Great North Road and 35km from Lusaka town. I stay with my mother and father within Lukata. When I was in grade eight (8) I dropped out of school because my parents said they could not afford to pay for my tuition fees from grade 8 on wards. My parents are peasant farmers who only grow enough crops to feed the family. Because of this, my parents later decided to find me a man who could marry me. I was only 15 years old when I dropped out of school. I was scheduled to get married at the age of 16 but LifeSavers came to my aid. Life Savers came to Lukata to educate about child marriage and to also enroll children who have dropped out of school because they were pregnant before or because they were married off due to lack of sponsorship. LifeSavers has given me the opportunity to be sponsored, enabling me to have a second chance of education. They helped me see the importance of school and why I should work hard in life. When I complete school, I want to be a teacher so that I can help others who may be faced with similar challenges as me through teaching them what I am learning now and so that I can be able to encourage other girls who may fall victim to child marriage on the importance of education and knowing their rights.