Sinazongwe is home to me. It is where I grew up, where I learned respect, hard work, and the importance of standing with others. The people of Sinazongwe shaped my values and taught me that real progress is not about big words or promises, but about how families live from day to day.
When I began getting involved in community work in 2013, I did not come with a grand plan or a title. I simply responded to what people were facing. Through conversations across villages, the same concerns kept coming up: schools that needed space, clinics that needed support, water sources that were too far, young people looking for direction, and communities doing their best with very limited resources. That is where my journey of service began.
Education was one of the first areas I focused on because it touches every household. In places such as Siamuyala and Kalilambizi, I supported the construction of classrooms, teachers’ houses, and learning facilities so that children could study in safer and more supportive environments. I also assisted vulnerable learners with school support, because no child’s potential should be lost simply due to lack of means. Seeing learners remain in school and grow in confidence has been one of the most encouraging outcomes of this work.
Health emerged just as strongly. Many families shared how distance and limited facilities made access to care difficult, especially for expectant mothers. In response, I supported the rehabilitation of health posts, the construction of mothers’ shelters, and the installation of solar lighting in maternity wards. I also helped provide wheelchairs for those in need. During health emergencies, including cholera outbreaks, I worked alongside existing efforts to help protect communities, particularly women and children.
Water and livelihoods affect daily life in very practical ways. Supporting the restoration of boreholes and water systems helped reduce the long distances women and children walk to fetch water, while also improving hygiene at household level. I have also supported families during livestock disease outbreaks, because when animals are lost, livelihoods and food security are directly affected. Helping families remain stable during such times has always been important to me.
Young people are the heart of any community. Through support to local football teams and cultural activities, I have seen how sport and culture build discipline, confidence, and unity. These activities provide positive focus and help young people stay connected to their identity and their community.
Faith and community life also play a vital role in how people support one another. By working with churches and community groups, I have supported initiatives that promote unity, responsibility, and cooperation. Strong values help communities move forward together.
Over the years, one principle has guided me: leadership is service. It is about listening, showing up, and doing what you can, where you are, with the people around you.
Sinazongwe raised me. Serving its people is not a favour—it is my responsibility.
This journey continues, step by step, alongside the people of Sinazongwe, with the shared goal of building stronger communities and better opportunities for our children and families.
Dr. Cosmas Zyambo
13 January 2026
