Mentorship Programs

In April 2008, KnowledgeBeat began the mentorship program. The mentorship program was launched in reaction to the lack of girl’s advancement not only in school but also in professional development. Young girls in Itezhi Tezhi have limited access to positive enrichment opportunities and role models. Our goal with the Mentorship Program is to create a new generation of leaders in Zambia and provide youth with the resources and role models to advance in society.

The Mentorship Program consists of seminars conducted by professional role models from the region. A participating woman mentor will speak with the young women in grades 7 - 9. Women are selected to offer a diversity of perspective on professions, personal journeys and ability to balance career with family. Mentors come from a variety of backgrounds and professions including business professionals, teachers, and nurses.

Following the close of the summer school term, select girls are sponsored by KnowledgeBeat to shadow participating mentors for a week. Providing girls the opportunity to shadow a mentor, gives them exposure to the day-to-day activities of different career options and the opportunity to build a deeper relationship with a positive role model in their community.

This program is designed to inspire and progress girls advancement in the community. KnowledgeBeat plans to expand the mentorship program to the 10 new sites by 2015, providing a minimum of 3,000 young women with the opportunity to be advised on career planning and local occupations.