Streetlife stories

Elias Lengwe

My name is Elias Lengwe.

I was born in August 2000 at Ndola Central Hospital in Ndola, Zambia.

My parents were Vincent Lengwe and Agnes Ngoma Lengwe. I am the first born child in a family of three and I am the only boy.

My parents and I left Ndola when I was 5 years old and moved to Chingola, where I started studying at Agape Primary School until grade 2.

We lived in Chingola and were a happy family until my father was transferred to Kitwe in February 2007. The move affected my education and I had to change schools, starting at Twataizya International Christian Academy.

Life was great at first but after a while my father lost his job and I was sent to Lusaka to stay with my Aunty. My aunty paid for me to go to school that year and the year after, but then in 2008 my dear mother died.

At this point I felt empty, and although life became even more difficult for my sisters and I, it was worse for my father.

He could not get a job, and he made the decision to send me to live with my grandmother in a township called Kabushi near Ndola.

As a family we prayed to God for our lives to change, and finally God answered us through Mayo-Mayo at Streetlife.

She has restored my happiness, given me hope for the future and I am hoping to study medicine at university so that one day I can also help someone in need.

I want to thank Mayo-Mayo, all my sponsors who have been so kind, and everyone who has played a part in bringing me up and educating me.

Thank you all – may you all have great and long lives. God bless you.