The Results Are In!

Violet Mukumbwa, an Entrepreneurship & Financial Literacy Program Coordinator, is our guest blogger this month as she shares an update on the Entrepreneurship & Financial Literacy Program High School Graduate Pilot Workshop. Violet is a Scholarship Fund recipient, high school graduate and one of our success stories too!

In December, the first ever business proposal pitch day was held at the Learning & Leadership Center in Kafue, Zambia where 16 of the high school graduates that attended the Entrepreneurship & Financial Literacy Program High School Graduate Pilot Workshop last summer pitched their businesses ideas to a panel of judges from the Entrepreneurship and M&E Departments. The 16 students had been working hard during the entire process, beginning with research on their business ideas as they prepared for pitch day.

The High School Graduate Pilot Workshop was held in August 2022, providing an intensive five-day workshop for the high school graduates, all alumni of Amos Youth Centre, to gain knowledge and resources needed to start a small business or entrepreneurial venture. This has been identified as a high-impact and cost-effective way to ensure that they have the skills to lift themselves out of poverty even if they do not continue their education to the college or university level.

The aim of the workshop is to reinforce the high school graduates’ existing knowledge and provide them with resources to start a small business or entrepreneurial venture. Two weeks later, students submitted business plans in a competition with the top three plans receiving cash prizes to start the ventures. By learning about saving circles and having access to a micro-lending partner, all of the students will have additional opportunities to finance their ideas. 

The 16 high school graduates who attended the Pilot Workshop pose for a picture.

The Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy Program developed the curriculum for high school graduates, who were also alumni of the Learning & Leadership Center, in March 2022. The goal was for the graduates to be able to write a business plan and pitch it at the end of the program. Out of over 50 students in the class, 40 wrote business plans and 16 were selected to attend the High School Graduate Pilot Workshop to build on what they had learned during the class. This was held in August of 2022.  Four motivational speakers, all younger Zambian entrepreneurs, were invited to share their journey on how they successfully became entrepreneurs by starting small, what motivated them and the problems they are now solving in Zambia.

Left to right, John, George and Modester, the three winners of the business pitch competition.

All in all, it has been a busy four months between the young entrepreneurs and the Entrepreneurship Department that tirelessly worked hard to improve the business proposals and, furthermore, hold classes to equip the young people on how to pitch their business plans.

Three of the 16 high school graduates were selected as winners with 1st prize, 2nd and 3rd prize given k3,300.00, k1650.00, k1237.00 respectively. This money will go towards startup capital for their businesses.

First prize went to George, who pitched his business idea on quail poultry farming. The business proposal had a good profitability ratio and the capacity to expand. Quail farming is slowly mushrooming in our community with very few holding the knowledge or interest about it. With more money put into the business, George has the potential of becoming a very good entrepreneur while creating jobs for other youth in the community.

Second prize went to Modester, who presented her business idea on sewing and selling reusable menstrual pads. This business proposal had a high profit potential and a good return on investment. Modester is a talented young lady and based on her own experience understands that this business will help so many young girls and ladies that are struggling to buy disposable pads. She learned how to sew reusable pads when AYC held a class to teach the young ladies in the program how to sew them as part of their menstrual health program. This activity peaked her interest and she saw it as a potential business.

Third prize went to John, who presented a business idea of selling pamphlets. He chose this as his business after noticing the low literacy levels in the community, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many students could not go school and remained home without reading materials. Additionally, there has been an increase in pupils failing exams for the first time and many are repeating their exams. Thus, his business is targeting these students to help them better prepare for their exams and improve the literacy levels of the community at large.

All of the business proposals submitted seemed viable but only three were selected and awarded prizes. While the rest are encouraged to continue working hard for they have the knowledge needed for them to start a thriving business. We are excited that the students had a successful pitch day and we wish them all the best as they begin their different businesses.