Antony Mbawala is a 26 year old third year student at Natural Resource Development College (NRDC), studying Crop Science. When you listen to his story, one thing stands out clearly, he has never allowed his circumstances to define his future.
Antony lost his father when he was only two years old, since then, life has not been easy. His mother, who has no formal employment, survives through small-scale farming just to put food on the table. Paying college fees was something far beyond her reach. Like many young people in similar situations, Antony’s dream of getting an education almost slipped away.
But things changed when he was given an opportunity through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Skills Bursary. For him, it was more than just financial support, it was a lifeline chance.
At NRDC, Antony is gaining practical skills that go beyond the classroom. His program combines both crop and animal production, something he describes as similar to General Agriculture. This has equipped him with knowledge he can actually use in real life. Today, he is confident not only in growing crops but also in managing livestock.
For Antony, this is not just about finishing school but about building a future. He hopes to use the skills he is learning to start agriculture as a business and eventually, create opportunities for others.
“I want to do something that can also help other young people,” he says. “Not just for me, but for the community.”
He now encourages fellow youths in Chipata District to apply for the CDF Skills Bursary. According to him, learning practical skills is one of the most important steps towards becoming self-reliant.
Antony’s journey is a simple but powerful sign that sometimes, all someone needs is a chance. With the right support, determination can turn even the toughest beginnings into something meaningful.