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C E L E B R A T I N G 1 0 Y E A R S O F I M P A C T - P A T H W A Y S T O E X C E L L E N C E A Collection of Student and Alumni Stories 2016-2026

UK Registered Charity Number: 1165083 Zambia Registered NGO: RNGO/101/0688/17

CONTACT INFORMATION

UK

Trustees

Funmi Akinluyi Richard Bowen (Chair) Alan Leale-Green (Treasurer) Helen Leale-Green (CEO) Dhruv Sarda Vanessa Strauss Chanda Singoyi Krishan Tailor

Charity number 1165083

Address

The Coach House Hurstwood Lane Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 8YA

ZAMBIA

Trustees

Helen Leale-Green (President) Justine Buchizya Mushitu (Country Director) Thomas Lifuti Victoria Siachiwena Mpazi Nambao

Charity number RNGO 101/0688/17

Address

Our Moon Zambia Off Old Mumbwa Road Mbulo-Chipansha Chibombo District Central Province

CONTACT DETAILS

Helen Leale-Green

Helen.leale-green@ourmoon.org.uk +44 (0) 7720 287904

Justin Mushitu

Justin.mushitu@ourmoon.org.uk +260 97 2221856

SOCIALS

: helen leale-green

: ourmooneducation

: www.ourmoon.org.uk

PHOTO CREDIT

Photos shot on site at Our Moon: Malama Mushitu, Ireen Ngango and Maxwell Kabwe

PROLOGUE BY JOSHUA, STUDENT EDITOR Joshua: Class of 2025-26 - a charismatic feminist with a strong desire to improve the lives of the underprivileged everywhere.

As we sat under the ‘ Insaka’ , voices weaving into each other, every story shaped by where we came from, what had brought us to Our Moon, and where we longed to go, a single theme emerged - we all wanted more - more knowledge, more opportunity, more world. We spoke of going abroad as though it were not just a dream, but a shared direction we were all slowly learning to walk toward.

I sat quietly by the doorway, positioned perfectly to study every face as each person took their turn. One by one, we spoke of passions, of problems we hoped to solve, of futures we imagined ourselves building. If I am honest, many of those dreams, including mine, sounded vague and unfinished. Yet beneath the uncertainty was something undeniable: a deep hunger, a fire that refused to be ignored.

Yet something was already shifting.

Through our time at Our Moon, those uncertain ideas began to take shape. What once felt naïve and scattered, grew into something solid, something alive. We were taught not just to dream, but to stand by our dreams, to question them, refine them and pursue them with clarity. We learned that it is okay not to have everything figured out, but not okay to doubt our worth in figuring it out. We learned to be unapologetically ourselves.

I remember Agripa, confident even then, speaking of politics as if he were already stepping into Parliament. Esther, shy and softly-spoken, yet brave enough to voice her desire to fight teenage pregnancies in her community. Naomy, gentle in tone yet bold in vision, determined to build better roads and stronger infrastructure. And Michael, quiet, almost invisible unless called upon, who simply said he had no clear passion, only an interest in electronics. We said little to him, and somehow, in his silence, we named him ‘A Man of Few Words’.

And now, when I look again, I see something different.

That day, I listened and saw our potential. But I also saw something missing: confidence, courage and that unapologetic strength to stand firm and own one’s path.

Agripa still carries the same dream of becoming a politician, of one day leading, but now he stands ready to defend his views and decisions, bold and unwavering. The world will witness his becoming. Esther, back in Chibombo, carries the same mission, but with a certainty that cannot be shaken. She is no longer just hoping to create change, she is living it, doing meaningful work through Our Moon. Naomy has stepped into the corporate world, into spaces that were so unfamiliar, yet she carries herself now with such confidence.

And Michael… when I look at him now, it is almost hard to believe. The same young man who once struggled to speak, now stands firm in his thoughts, expressing his ideas with courage. Watching him, here in Lusaka, I feel a deep happiness that our paths have crossed. I have no doubt he will become remarkable – you can read his story on page 16.

Today, I look back and understand, this is what Our Moon does. This is what belief, guidance and community can create. To every member, every partner, every friend, every donor who continues to support this vision, you may not sit under the Insaka , you may not hear every story, but this is what your support becomes. It becomes courage. It becomes clarity. It becomes lives changing in ways we couldn’t have imagined only a year ago.

And there is me. I walked into Our Moon, uncertain, carrying ideas I could not yet define. But as I prepare to graduate, I leave with something far greater than a dream. I leave knowing that my voice matters, that my path is mine to shape, and that I am not waiting for the world anymore. I am stepping into it.

Thank you on behalf of all of us. I hope you enjoy reading about some of the lives impacted during Our Moon’s first 10 years, and the stories of some of those creating the impact on us. I am grateful to you for the time you spend getting to know us all and the impact that Our Moon (and most likely, you) have had on all our lives. Thank you and happy anniversary to Our Moon!

“We are often so focused on what lies ahead, on what the future may bring, that we forget the memories that shaped us into we are today”. Joshua

`A NEW VERSION OF HOME`

Wynter Mulyata: Class of 2025-26 - going to study PPE at Ashoka University; multi-talented with the voice of an orator

I got to experience a new version of home!
A home that does not claim to be home, yet
Suits the definition perfectly.

For the first time in a while, I got to see home differently.
Not as a place where love exists only in certain chapters.
Not as a place where love fades faster than a shooting star.
But as a space where love dwells even on quieter days.
A space where dancing does not stop even when the music does.

I got to experience a new version of home!
A home that exists far away from my traditional home,
Yet feels closer to my  heart, and makes me whole.
A place where it is not just about me, but us. About We!
About what I can do for my society with all the universal tools around.

Our Moon Education is home!
A space that reminds you that you are worth more than rubies.
That even the golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides, are but only a speck of what you are capable of achieving.

Our Moon Education is home!

A home where correction feels warmer than a mother hen’s embrace. A space where correction is accompanied by healing and warmth.

I got to experience a new version of home!

One that will forever be tattooed to my heart. One I will sing about and announce to the world day and night.

So when you ask me about a place I call home. I will tell you about the mornings in Mbulo Chimpansha Village. The mornings where
the birds sing healing melodies daily. Where every smile of those around, brings you the healing you never knew you needed.
Where every conversation inspires you to grow.

`When you ask me about a place I call home!`

I will talk about the uncoordinated dance moves in the Our Moon  kitchen,   the off-key melodies of young leaders on duty.
I will talk about the endless laughter with the children of Mbulo Chipansha at the super-space. I will reminisce about the
stories we told, the relationships we built and the love we shared.

I got to experience a new version of home.
So, when you ask me about a place I call home.
I will tell you about Our Moon Education.

DRIVEN TO HELP PEOPLE CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY Justin Mushitu: Co-Founder and Country Director - Justin talks about how our work has evolved during the ten years of Our Moon

At Our Moon, we are driven by a clear belief: the future is shaped not by how well young people are supported to cope, but by how effectively they are equipped to contribute. Across Zambia, we see extraordinary people held back - not by a lack of talent, but by systems that leave them stuck. That reality is what drives me and our work: a commitment to helping people move from stuck to contributing, whether they are the brightest young minds or those who have simply never been given the chance to prove themselves.

who may once have felt stuck are contributing visibly and meaningfully, alongside our students, every day.

We operate within a challenging context. While access to education has improved in Zambia, too many capable young people remain excluded from opportunity. The gap between potential and pathway is where people become stuck and where our work is focused.

When potential lies dormant, the cost is shared by families, communities and economies. When it is unlocked, the impact reaches far beyond the individual.

Over the past ten years, we have seen this transformation unfold. What began as a simple idea has grown into a community defined by learning, resilience and joy. Growth has not always been straightforward, but time and again, we have seen what happens when belief, structure and opportunity come together: people move forward.

Today, our work centres on highly motivated young people preparing to play meaningful roles in their communities and the workforce. They are supported by an exceptional Zambian team, grounded in integrity, accountability and high standards, creating an environment where growth is both expected and enabled.

But this is not only about students. In Mbulo-Chipansha, local residents are employed in building and running our campus, creating opportunity in a region shaped by intergenerational unemployment. Here, people

Our response is the 18-month Young Leaders Programme, transforming the post-school gap into a period of deep academic, personal and professional development. We focus on depth, not scale, supporting each young person to build the identity, skills and confidence needed to move forward with purpose.

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Through self-exploration, ethical leadership, career preparation and real-world employability, we equip young people not just to succeed, but to contribute thoughtfully and responsibly.

Community remains central. Our Young Leaders support local children’s learning, while our volunteering programmes create practical pathways into work for community members. Together, these efforts reflect what we have learned over the past decade: when people are given the chance to step forward - to get unstuck and to contribute - progress becomes shared, sustainable and deeply human.

As we reflect on ten years of growth, development and a great deal of joy, we remain committed to this work: investing in people, removing barriers, and creating the conditions in which potential can truly move.

“That reality is what drives me and our work: a commitment to helping people move from stuck to contributing”. Justin

ETHICAL LEADERSHIP, EXPLORATION OF SELF SOCIAL CONSCIENCE AND MINDSET CHANGE AND VOLUNTEERING Develop self-awareness Foster service, responsibility and and purpose contributing to society COMMUNITY EMPLOYABILITY AND UNIVERSITY AND PROFESSIONAL CAREERS GUIDANCE READINESS AND PREPARATION Build workplace skills, gain Guide informed educational connections and develop decisions, develop academic skills financial literacy and prepare for departure Diagram shows Our Moon’s Young Leaders Programme components N U

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MAPPING OUR MOON’S MILESTONES

Our Moon Education ©2 026 - 10

MAPPING OUR MOON’S MILESTONES

2015 2016 2017 2018 SEED OF AN IDEA EARLY GROWTH DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION BUILDING BRIDGES Helen visited Zambia for the Our first two students started Our Moon acquired land in We collaborate with many first time, staying with Justin’s at Hillcrest and Our Moon was Chibombo and was officially organisations, but this was the family, hosting workshops with officially registered in the UK registered in Zambia year we trialled the research students and teachers essay with Ecolint 2020 2021.... 2022.... 2026.... CHANGING PATHWAYS STABILITY RIPPLES OF IMPACT ONGOING JOURNEY In 2020, the first students With a stable base, physically Our first student graduated Our programmes will continue started our fully residential and metaphorically, we were from university and the ripple to evolve. We want to develop programme at our learning able to experiment to make effect of changing one life to more partnerships, expand our centre in Mbulo-Chipansha, greater impact change thousands was evident programmes and secure more marking a big change for us stable funding

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marking a big change for us
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KEY STATISTICS

YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAMME

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UNLOCKED YOUNG GENDER % IN UNIVERSITY STEM
SCHOLARSHIPS LEADERS SPLIT / EMPLOYMENT
£13.6 46 female:
93 100% 81%
million 47 male
FIRST GEN FIRST GEN ORPHANS ILLITERATE % RETURNED
UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS HOME/ POSTGRAD
88% 22% 38% 31% 73%
VALUE ADDED VOLUNTEERS
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SUPERSPACE

NO OF CHILDREN SUBJECTS VOLUNTEERS ON ACTIVE SKILLS DEVELOPED REGISTERED PA OUR BOOKS EMPLOYEES Bricklaying, block making, LITERACY plastering, painting, landscaping, ENGLISH planting, maintenance, security, 55 NUMERACY 75 39 IDENTITY cleaning, cooking, dog handling and IT SKILLS training, livestock management HOURS AGE RANGE COMPLETED PA 5-16 3750 Our Moon Education ©2 026 - 12 hrs yrs

Our Moon Education ©2 026 - 12

MAP OF DESTINATION OF YOUNG LEADERS

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CONTRIBUTING TO EACH OTHER’S GROWTH

Malama Mushitu - Programmes Officer; Malama talks about the impact Our Moon has had on his growth while acknowledging the impact he has had on our students, workers and the many people who pass through Our Moon

Being at Our Moon and watching it grow has been interesting. The journey has been one where the organization and I both contribute to each other’s growth. Such, I believe, would be almost impossible if I worked with a fully established organization/company that simply needs employees to sustain its decades-old systems.

But taking part in Our Moon’s vision has been about learning a lot as you go. Every duty/task is a challenge because the individuals we work with are intelligent and academically capable, yet most struggle to fully maximize the resources already around them. Mainly because their dreams are too big, they forget the importance of analysing their current environment and recognising who they currently are in order for growth to happen. Because of this, the delivery of every task has to take these mindsets into account.

Working in such an environment has exposed me to the real complexity of creating change. It has made me less superficial about ideas and implementation because speaking about change is far easier than executing it. I understood this theoretically before, but working with Our Moon allowed me to experience it in reality.

And what’s even more interesting is watching the individuals grow gradually but effectively within the 18 months. Seeing them leave the programme more confident, a bit more fluent in thought, just enough to allow them to debate and not fear failure as they explore life, pursue their dreams, and aspire for growth. Even more humbling and rewarding is hearing them acknowledge their own growth.

“Seeing them leave the programme more confident, a bit more fluent in thought, just enough to allow them to debate and not fear failure as they explore life, pursue their dreams, and aspire for growth”. Malama

FROM SILENCE TO SELF-EXPRESSION

Michael - Class of 2025-26, off to Ashesi University to study Engineering and a strong mathematician - talks of how much Our Moon has given him the confidence to speak out

The confines of traditions

I grew up within a narrow system shaped by textbooks, a strict syllabus, and the expectation of a safe career path. I relied on external validation to feel capable, and my confidence remained low. I rarely spoke and often feared expressing my ideas, especially in group settings.

The authentic version of me

Our Moon has shaped me into an authentic person, helping me become courageous and confident in my daily journey of growth, and reminded me that I have the best tools - myself - if I need to change something about myself or around my community. I have chosen self-expression and not to be silent and not to fear.

The cost of silence

Then, I came to Our Moon. Here, I was shown the true, sophisticated reality of life through my own observations: if you don’t express yourself or your ideas, they will be buried, as the word isn’t silent at all. Through this, I realised that people who tend to be silent can end up as slaves to others' expectations, and it doesn’t matter even if you are academically sound.

New ways of learning

Justin’s teaching approach was a turning point for me. The emphasis on “nothing like a wrong answer” and the idea that everyone should contribute their views to every conversation played an important role. It encouraged me to express myself without the fear of being judged by others during group discussions or projects.

Furthermore, I avoided giving direct validation or fixed answers, instead offering general feedback for everyone to reflect on and apply. This pushed me to stop relying on others’ approval and take ownership of my thinking and work.

“I have chosen self-expression, not to be silent and not to fear”. Michael

YOUNG, UNSURE AND FIGURING THINGS OUT

Natasha - resident, sister to Justin and, now, an independent young woman pursuing her own way in the world, hoping also to go to university

I was only 12 when I first became part of Our Moon’s space - young, unsure, and figuring things out. Everyone around was older and more experienced, and at first, I felt out of place like I was stepping into conversations beyond my level. But what stood out was how students and staff met me where I was. Instead of making me feel small, they made room for me. That acceptance gave me a sense of belonging earlier than I expected. I am Justin’s sister and I had the privilege of living at Our Moon.

Being in that environment wasn't always easy. I often felt like I had little to contribute, and at times my voice felt out of place. But those challenges pushed me to grow - to listen more, learn more, and slowly build the confidence to speak. Over time, I developed not just academically, but personally. I gained skills – from cooking for many people to improving my maths, English and public speaking - something that somehow still feels impossible.

In the early days, what drew me most wasn't the organization itself, but the students - their energy, their conversations, and the way they saw the world. I remember one moment clearly: someone spoke about their love for chemistry, and their goal was to study chemical engineering. I didn't fully understand it at the time, but it stayed with me. As I went through high school, chemistry became one of the subjects I genuinely loved, and I can trace it back to moments like that.

As I became more involved, I began taking on more active roles - welcoming students, running cooking sessions, and creating a space where they felt supported. In 2022, I started a stress management club to support students through academic stress. That experience gave me confidence and showed me I was capable of more than I had believed.

The people I met – both students and mentors like Justin, Ntasu and Helen - shaped me in ways I didn't expect. Watching others move on to university never discouraged me; it inspired. In return, I tried to encourage others to believe in themselves and to see that success isn't just about academics, but also about balance, growth and well-being.

Overall, being part of Our Moon has a significant role in shaping my identity and the person I am today. It has influenced me not only how I see myself, but also how I show up in the world and in my community. I am back studying as I would like to follow their lead - go to university with a view to contributing in some way to my community.

“ I tried to encourage others to believe in themselves and to see that success isn't just about academics, but also about balance, growth and well-being”. Natasha

FROM BAREFEET TO SHINY SHOES

Agripa - Class of 2025-26, off to Bocconi University in Milan; determined to make his mark in Zambian politics

Looking back on my journey - from the little boy running barefoot through the marketplace to the young man now wearing polished shoes and sitting in front of a laptop at KPMG - one thing becomes clear: this is the fruit of hard work and deliberate effort.

As I move forward, that same boy now looks toward another milestone: the privilege of attending university at one of Europe’s top institutions - Bocconi University in Milan. Beneath the excitement, there is also the quiet fear of the unknown. Questions echo in my mind: “Will I manage without A-levels? Am I good enough?” But then something else clicks; the realisation that every step of my life has been a lesson in possibility.

A realisation made possible through Our Moon, which gave me a platform to explore, discover, and truly value my background. It allowed me to understand that my story, with all its bends and beginnings, is not a disadvantage but a source of strength.

Through Our Moon, I learned that growth rarely begins in comfort. That the path is never about where you start, but about how fiercely you push forward. That the absence of traditional advantages can become the presence of extraordinary resilience. And that the boy who once navigated dust-filled markets without shoes is the same young man who now navigates professional spaces with purpose.

So, when doubt whispers, I remind myself: If I could rise from the marketplace to KPMG Zambia, I can rise from KPMG Zambia to any classroom in the world. My story is not defined by what I lacked, but by what I refused to give up on.

Not by the gaps in my journey, but by the grit that filled them.Not by the fear of the unknown, but by the courage to chase what once felt out of reach.

My next chapter could overwhelm me; but so could all the other chapters that led me here.

“The path is never about where you start, but about how fiercely you push forward” Agripa

And I overcame my fears. This time will be no different…

FROM CHICAGO’S SOIL TO ZAMBIA’S FUTURE

Steven - Class of 2023-24 and currently studying at NorthWestern University in Chicago; a committed environmentalist., determined to bring his learning back to Zambia

As a Chemical Engineering student at Northwestern University, I have spent the past year doing something I did not expect: digging into the ground beneath one of America's great cities, looking for what industry has left behind.

My research in the Hatch Lab focuses on heavy metal contamination in Chicago soils. Using ICP-OES spectrometry, ArcGIS spatial mapping, and statistical analysis in R, our team measures concentrations of toxic metals like lead, copper, zinc, and others across different Chicago neighborhoods. The goal is to understand how historical land use has shaped present-day contamination, and what that means for the communities living with it.

The work is technical. But the reason it matters is deeply human.

Heavy metals do not biodegrade. Once they enter soil and water systems, they persist, absorbed by children playing outside, ingested through contaminated produce, and leached into the water people drink. In high enough concentrations, lead alone causes irreversible neurological damage, stunting cognitive development in young children at exactly the age when their brains are growing fastest.

This is not an abstract concern for me. Zambia is home, and Zambia is in crisis. The mining towns of Kabwe and the Copperbelt have faced decades of lead, copper, cadmium, and arsenic contamination from colonial-era and ongoing mining operations. Studies estimate that over 95% of children in Kabwe's most affected neighborhoods have dangerously elevated blood-lead levels. The Sino-Metals tailings disaster in 2025 released cyanide, arsenic, and heavy metals into the Kafue River system, one of the country's most critical water sources.

A nation's future is built on the intellectual capacity of its young people. If we allow toxic contamination to quietly rob children of that capacity, we are not just poisoning bodies. We are foreclosing futures.

The skills I am building here - analytical chemistry, spatial data analysis, environmental modelling - are not skills I intend to leave in Chicago. They are tools I plan to bring home.

“The skills I am building here - analytical chemistry, spatial data analysis, environmental modelling - are not skills I intend to leave in Chicago. They are tools I plan to bring home”. Steven (Simz)

FROM AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE TO OXFORD UNIVERSITY Selah - Class of 2021-2022 and biology graduate of Ashoka University in India. Selah is now a published researcher and off to University of Oxford to study for a PhD

When I graduated from Our Moon, I was not certain what I wanted to study at university. What I did leave with was the confidence to explore new opportunities and follow my curiosity. If you had asked me then what I would be doing after graduation, I certainly would not have said scientific research, and I would never have imagined pursuing a PhD at Oxford.

That willingness to stay curious shaped everything that followed. At Ashoka University, I explored different subjects before finding myself drawn to biology. I enjoyed learning the theory, but I wanted to understand how scientific questions were answered in practice. That curiosity led me to join an evolutionary immunology lab, where I spent the next three years investigating how organisms respond to challenges such as changing temperatures, diet, and disease.

Research was rarely straightforward. Experiments failed, results were often unexpected, and progress could be slow. Yet those challenges became some of the most rewarding parts of the journey. They taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of asking good questions even when the answers are not immediately clear.

Over time, what began as curiosity grew into a genuine passion for scientific discovery. That journey has eventually led me to Oxford, where I have been awarded the Clarendon Scholarship. More than the award itself, I am excited by the opportunity to continue exploring questions about how organisms adapt to a changing world and how that knowledge can contribute to solving real-world challenges.

Looking back, I can trace much of this journey to lessons I first encountered through Our Moon. It encouraged me to keep an open mind, embrace unfamiliar opportunities, and remain curious about the world around me. Sometimes the most transformative opportunities begin not with a plan, but with a willingness to explore.

“I spent the next three years investigating how organisms respond to challenges such as changing temperatures, diet and disease”. Selah

WHY I AM INSPIRED TO STUDY BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

Grace - Class of 2025-26 and off to Hong Kong Polytechnic University to study Biomedical Engineering. Grace is keen to contribute to research into gentler techniques for curing cancer

Throughout my childhood, I had opinions. But I kept them to myself. I knew the answers, but avoided raising my hand. I wanted opportunities, but only if they came without risk. My academic strength could shine - but only on paper.

PolyU is a place where biomedical engineering exists not only in classrooms but in the surrounding ecosystem of research labs, hospitals, and biotech startups, putting me closer to the cancer diagnostics and treatment innovations that first inspired my journey.

By Grade 12, an uncomfortable question emerged: what did I want to do with my life?

Over the past three months, I have been interning at Victoria Hospital, gaining a completely different perspective on healthcare as I have rotated through different departments. Radiograpghy has captured my attention as I have learned how essential imaging is to diagnosing disease, guiding treatment decisions, monitoring recovery, helping clinicians understand what cannot be seen from the outside and, of huge personal importance, how essential it is in cancer diagnosis.

From my research biomedical engineering combined everything that fascinated me: science, technology, innovation, and healthcare, especially with relation to cancer. Yet every path I explored led to the same obstacle. Zambia did not offer the opportunities I needed to pursue it fully.

I still have a long way to go. There is so much I do not know, so much I have yet to learn. But every meaningful step in my life has begun the same way: by moving beyond what felt familiar and trusting that growth waited on the other side.

Then, by chance, I heard about Our Moon.

During the programme, I realised I was not as prepared for university as I had assumed. Our Moon has forced me to confront skills I had avoided for years. I had to think deeply, communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, accept criticism, and learn to express ideas with confidence. Rather than discouraging me, that realisation gave me room to grow. Interviews became the opportunity that transcripts and application forms never could: the chance to show my curiosity, convictions and personality in a way that paper simply cannot capture.

“Zambia did not offer the opportunities I needed to pursue [biodemical engineering] fully.” Grace

Eventually, that journey led me to an offer for The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, starting in September 2026.

PARTNERSHIPS IN EDUCATION

Keith Browne - IB educator and consultant, teacher and former Director of Professional Studies at International School of Geneva – Ecolint

Around nine years ago, Helen and I first met online. We were introduced by one of our professors while we were undertaking our Masters programmes at UCL’s Institute of Education, because of our joint interest in Zambia - I take a group of students from my school, Ecolint, each year to a project in Western Province of Zambia and Helen had just set up Our Moon.

We celebrate the success of our partnership. One of our mentors told me he had never worked with such a socially-minded student and applauded both the quality of his work and his determination to use the opportunities he has been given to improve the lives of those around him.

We explored areas where we had something in common and over a period of time, developed the idea of Ecolint providing mentors to Our Moon students to help them conduct a keystone research essay that brought together the many strands of Our Moon’s Young Leaders Programme, including academic writing, critical reading, research skills, digital literacy and their own choice academic interest around a global challenge.

We are now in the seventh year of this programme. Ecolint provides a mentor who works one on one with an Our Moon student to produce a 4000-word, fully referenced essay. The essays have been remarkably successful and have covered all the Sustainable Development Goals and the students have shown remarkable.

During this same period, I got talking to one of my colleagues, the Director of ICT, and discussed with him Our Moon’s work. From our used electronic devices, he donates on average 10-12 a year – sufficient to make sure that each Our Moon student has a chrome book each to use while on Our Moon’s programme.

“Ecolint provides a mentor who works one on one with an Our Moon student to produce a 4000-word, fully referenced essay”.

Keith

BUILDING BRIDGES BY SHARING CONNECTIONS

Dhruv Sarda - Trustee, brought up on the Copperbelt and passionate about helping young people in Zambia

I was brought up in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia and have many fond memories of family life there, as well as working for PwC in Zambia after graduating from my first degree.

Bongo Hive in Lusaka, all point to the success of Our Moon’s programme. I am excited to see what the next generation of Ashoka students will achieve.

I first found out about Our Moon after seeing a post on LinkedIn by one of my former employees. I knew I had to get in touch to find out more and to see how I could help.

As a supporter and Trustee of Our Moon, I feel privileged to have a frontrow seat to witness the life-changing impact the organisation has on its students.

The students embody passion, determination, and resilience, and it is inspiring to see the confidence, ambition, and opportunities that grow from their experience.

Calling Zambia and India as my second homes (after London), I have especially enjoyed supporting the students studying at Ashoka University in India. Thomas is extraordinary in the way he combined his diverse studies with travel and work, including volunteering for Our Moon (see his story on Page 26). He now works one day a week for Our Moon and has implemented a huge IT infrastructure project for us.

I have also kept up with the fascinating research that Selah has been doing at the same university (see Page 21) and how it has been recognised by the University of Oxford awarding her the Clarendon Scholarship to continue her research at PhD level. Tiwonge’s diverse internships (see Page 34) and Lute returning home and working for

Having the opportunity to introduce my professional network and friends to Our Moon has also been personally enriching. Seeing others connect with and support its mission has made my involvement all the more meaningful.

“...it is inspiring to see the confidence, ambition, and opportunities that grow from their experience”. Dhruv

PROTECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Kambole Kalumbi - Class of 2025-26 - a deep thinker, committed to improving the lives of people in his home community

Beneath the sun, in Zambia, lies a land flourishing with mineral resources, coupled with arable land. Favourable rainfall makes Lufwanyama special, with rivers, lakes and swamps providing farmers with adequate water for irrigation farming and making it possible to grow a variety of crops year in and year out.

Beneath its fertile soils rest minerals that have placed the district on the global map. The district is home to Kagem Mining Limited, believed to be the producer of the largest emeralds in the world, making it possible for Zambia to compete with territories like Columbia and Brazil in gemstone exploitation.

But poverty remains a persistent issue.

The district endures the unbearable reality of being one of the poorest districts in the Copperbelt province, with 85% of its people living in extreme deprivation. This strikes many dumbfounded, as they gaze at its beauty and riches.

During school holidays, the excitement of visiting my grandparents in the district was sometimes shattered by vehicle breakdowns, turning the nightmare of sleeping in the cold into reality. The situation was even worse for desperate farmers taking their perishable goods to market, as transport delays often caused them to lose their produce.

Healthcare facilities are scarce. Once, my malaria-stricken body was once forced to walk 15 kilometers in search of medical attention. The situation is even more difficult for expectant mothers, many of whom

are forced to give birth in unconducive environments because reaching health facilities is sometimes impossible. It is as though people living in this remote community are stripped of their humanity.

The hardship affects our children too - they run through dense forests to access overcrowded classrooms, too few desks forcing them to lear from the floor. Concurrently, financial constraints force many young people to drop out of school and marry early, while food insecurity exposes children to malnutrition.

Growing up, I heard stories about how the same minerals were used to develop other countries. But not our community. After deep introspection and research, my purpose became clear: to tranform Lufwanyama into somewhere people will feel proud of and learn from by fostering value addition to minerals and agriculture products before export to foreign markets. This would be the ultimate way for people to fully benefit from our collective riches for I’m convinced that great sustainable growth comes when we transform what we possess into improving lives beyond mere survival.

“...sustainable growth comes when we transform what we possess into improving lives beyond mere survival”. Kambole

GIVING HOPE TO REFUGEES

Komani, Naomi and Lute Class of 2020-21 and Ireen Class of 2025-26 - with a heart for helping the underprivileged

Some collaborations begin with a job posting. Ours began with a friendship and a shared belief that the skills we'd been given were meant for more than ourselves.

What we built wasn't just a project. It was proof that when people who care about the same things finally point their skills in the same direction, something real happens.

Naomi, Lute and I first crossed paths at Our Moon in 2020, a space that quietly taught us something profound: that giving back isn't optional, it's the point. That seed stayed with each of us as we went our separate ways, building careers, developing skills, growing into who we were becoming.

Then I explained about Hope for Refugees, an organisation I was developing alongside a friend, Pascal at KNUST where he was studying, with a mission close to all our hearts: empowering refugee mothers to establish businesses, provide for their families, and ensure their children have the resources they need to go to school. Since 2022, Hope for Refugees has been showing up for some of the most overlooked communities - in places like Meheba Refugee Camp - and refusing to let distance mean invisibility.

I reached out to Naomi and Lute, not because they were available, but because I knew exactly what they each carried. I held the vision (with Pascal) and the relationships that made it all possible. Naomi brought the language of institutions, proposal development, and grant writing, translating a community's needs into words that open doors and unlock funding. Lute brought visibility, poster design, UI/UX, and a creative eye that gave Hope for Refugees a digital presence worthy of the work happening on the ground.

More recently, Ireen asked if she could join our team - we welcomed her with open arms, especially as she has lived-experience of the refugee camps where we work. Her passion helps keep us all motivated.

We are still learning. We are still building. And we are doing it together!

“Giving back isn't optional, it's the point” Komani

STAYING LOYAL TO OUR MOON OVER THE YEARS

Thomas - Class of 2018-19 - Studied for a Computer Science and Mathematics Major, and several minors at Ashoka University while working and exploring India

I work one day a week as part of the Our Moon team, a role that has grown naturally since I first joined as a student. After graduating, I stayed on as an intern and later as a volunteer, gradually shaping a behind-the-scenes system that helps everything run more smoothly. My focus has been on building a sound infrastructure across eight key areas, from student, alumni and donor information to programme applications, learning management, university support, HR processes, communications, the website and conferencing tools. While it may sound technical, this is where I find the most enjoyment - quietly creating the systems that allow everything else to flourish.

Working closely with Justin and Helen, I have helped lay a foundation that will support Our Moon as it grows. With clearer processes, better documentation and more efficient tools in place, it becomes easier to expand programmes, bring in new staff and maintain consistency year after year. Something as simple as tracking time or saving lesson plans now contributes to a more sustainable future.

What motivates me most is both gratitude and curiosity. I am deeply appreciative of the support I received from Our Moon, especially from Helen and Justin, and I want my work to give something meaningful back. At the same time, I love solving the problems they set me. With little or no budget, each challenge becomes a puzzle, finding the right tool, at the right cost, to make a real difference.

“By leading on systems development in this way, I hope to ensure Our Moon continues to evolve in thoughtful, practical and scalable ways..” Thomas

Looking ahead, I am always exploring new technologies and thinking about how they can strengthen what we do. Rather than waiting for direction, I take the initiative to research, test ideas and suggest improvements. By leading on systems development in this way, I hope to ensure Our Moon continues to evolve in thoughtful, practical and scalable ways.

FINDING SUCCESS THROUGH DIFFERENT PATHWAYS Gift - Intern 2025 - tells her story of being open to trying out diverse opportunities

When I graduated from high school, I thought I had a clear idea of what my future would look like - I would go to university in Zambia and study economics, and then get a job at home. Like many students, I imagined a straightforward path from education into a career.

However, the years since graduating have taught me that life rarely follows a perfectly planned route. The period between school and where I am now has been filled with unexpected turns, challenges, and opportunities. Many of my plans have changed completely.

At first, these changes felt unsettling because they moved me away from the plan I had originally imagined. Over time, however, I began to see that change is not necessarily a setback, but an opportunity to grow. Additionally, a setback does not have to determine my future path. What matters is how I respond and what I learn from it.

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned throughout my gap year is that the decisions we make without fully thinking through them affect opportunities, relationships and trust. Additionally, I learned the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. When things do not go according to plan, it is easy to focus on disappointment. Instead, I have learned to view challenges as chances to learn new skills, gain experience and discover interests I might never have explored. I am currently on a one year intensive coding course at AkiraChix in Kenya - an opportunity that came about through Our Moon’s connections - and I love it!

I have also come to appreciate the value of being open to opportunities. Some of the most meaningful experiences I have had like being part of Our Moon’s community and learning about technology and coding at AkiraChix were not part of any long-term plan. They came from being willing to try something new, take a risk and step outside my comfort zone.

Looking back, I realise that changing pathways has helped shape who I am today. The journey has not always been predictable, but it has been rewarding. It has taught me resilience, adaptability and the confidence to embrace change. Most importantly, it has shown me that success is not always about following a straight path, but it is about continuing to grow, learn, and move forward, wherever the journey leads.

“Success is not always about following a straight path, but it is about continuing to grow, learn, and move forward, wherever the journey leads”. Gift

AFRAID TO DREAM

Brenda - Class of 2024-25 - off to study Engineering at American University of Beirut

My community

I come from Lusaka, the capital and what should be the heart of my country. The Central Business District should be an epitome of good construction. Unfortunately, my experience tells me otherwise.

I was raised in Kabanana, a small area in Lusaka known for repeated flooding. My house sits near a drainage that is supposed to carry rainwater away. Every rainy season, a blocked bridge and weak structures turn our neighborhood into a nightmare. Residents scramble to protect the very structures meant to keep them safe, building barriers with whatever they can afford. But these solutions are never permanent, and in a low-income area, professional construction and quality materials remain out of reach. Hence, the cycle of despair continues.

The possibilities I discovered

When I came to Our Moon, I was inspired by its thoughtful design—the Chalet structures, greenery, and intentional layout. It made me imagine a more sustainable and beautiful version of my own community, Kabanana.

When I went home, I shared these ideas with my family, especially about stronger, more durable structures. However, I later found they had followed the usual approach, building a drainage barrier like others in the community. It may remain unfinished, but it reflects how people continue to build what is necessary, even without long-term planning.

The change I am committed to

Now that I have all these experiences and seen what could be, what’s next? I do not simply want a university place. I want to acquire skills, grow into an ethical leader, and transform settlements into spaces that intuitively shape people positively, from lived tragedy into spaces of recovery, visually full of life. I am committed to using every platform and resource around me to realise that vision.

“When it’s all said and done,

the work and impact should lead one back to a community where they feel safe and valued”. Brenda

RISING FROM MY ROOTS

Elizabeth - Class of 2026-2027 - talks about her tragic early childhood and how it keeps her motivated for a better life

I was born in 2007, the last child in a family of two. My life began with loss; my mother passed away the same year I was born, leaving me with no memory of her embrace. My father, who never remarried, struggled to raise us, and so my grandmother stepped in. She became my world, teaching me everything I knew about life, love, and resilience

My mother was Malawian, and because she came to Zambia for business, I never knew her family. My father’s side became my only anchor. But in 2013, when I was just six, my father also died. Once again, my grandmother was the only family I had left. She was my shelter, my teacher, and my comfort.

Fast forward to December 2021, the day my grandmother died. I was in grade eight, and her passing shattered me. It felt as though my world had ended. My brother and I stayed in her house, surviving by doing piecework in people’s fields just to put food on the table. Life was harsh, but I refused to surrender my education. Despite the struggles, I passed my grade nine exams with 467 marks out of 600

At Our Moon, I have found the community I need. I will turn the pain of losing my family into purpose”. Elizabeth

At my grandmother’s funeral, I met a cousin who saw my determination and believed in me. He invited me to Lusaka, where I found a new family that welcomed me. It was as though my life had restarted. With their support, I completed my grade 12 exams in 2025 and graduated with six points (the top mark across six subjects).

Living with different people in different communities taught me the struggles many face, especially the pain of premature death. I know this pain intimately. My grandmother died of high blood pressure, a condition that could have been managed with awareness and access to healthcare. My father died of HIV, another condition that could have been controlled. These losses fuel my passion to contribute to my community through the medical field.

Every time I see an elderly person, I am reminded of my grandmother. Every time I see a street child, I am reminded of my own struggles after losing my parents and grandmother. These memories torment me, but they also drive me. They remind me why I must work hard to become a change maker.

Now, at Our Moon, I have found the community I need. I will turn the pain of losing my family into purpose. I will use every opportunity to learn the skills that will help me bring health awareness to my community. I believe that through knowledge and compassion, I can help prevent families from losing loved ones to illnesses that can be managed. My story is one of loss, but it is also one of resilience, hope, and determination to transform pain into healing.

I’M NOT BLACK, I’M AFRICAN

Watson Mushimbei - Class of 2019

I’m not black; I’m African My skin colour doesn’t define me, but my heritage does The choices I make and the path I take glorify my blood My people are not your stereotype I’m not black, I’m African My strength is what I am My weakness is what I’m not I am that I am

And I’m not black; I’m African. You call me black because black is the absence of light And, thus, you make me feel as if I’m living in darkness. You call me black because you wear black at funerals And, thus, you convince me that my dreams are dead. You call me black because black rhymes with lack and white with might

And, thus, you make feel as if I’ll never have enough. You call me black because black is for the devil and white is for angels and saints And, thus, you make me believe that God cursed my soul beyond redemption. You call me black because black Friday is cheap And, thus, you convince me that I can never afford my freedom. You call me black because black absorbs the most heat And so you use that as an excuse to beat me and my people down and discredit our pain. I’m not black; I’m African Because Africa has wealth Africa has culture Africa has swag. Black is nothing Black is void

Black is a hole that sucks you in a whirlwind of oppression And never gives you the opportunity to escape. Black is stress Black is death Black is nothing. I’m not black; I’m African

BEING PART OF SOMETHING MUCH LARGER THAN US

Vanessa Strauss - Trustee; Daniel Potor - Volunteer - their passion for Our Moon shines through their dealings with the students

One of the most meaningful traditions we have developed over the past three years at Our Moon Education has been reading Atomic Habits by James Clear with each new intake of students on the Young Leaders Programme. What began as a simple exercise on Tuesday evenings has become a cornerstone of our experience, shaping not only the students we work alongside but also our own thinking, aspirations and sense of purpose.

Each week, as we revisit its ideas with a new group of students, we are reminded that lasting change is rarely the result of dramatic moments. Instead, it is built through small, consistent actions, intentional choices and a belief in continuous growth. These are lessons that resonate deeply within the Our Moon community and are reflected in the journeys of the young people we have the privilege to support.

The greatest gift we receive from this process is belief. Working in education places us in the company of some of the most penetrative, thoughtful, and positive young minds we have ever encountered. Their curiosity challenges us, their determination inspires us, and their willingness to imagine a better future renews our own commitment to that future. Every discussion reveals fresh perspectives and reminds us that the next generation is capable of remarkable leadership when given encouragement, opportunity and trust.

Being involved in Our Moon Education means being part of something far larger than ourselves. It is an opportunity to witness transformation, resilience, and ambition taking root in real time. It is a constant reminder that education is not merely the transfer of knowledge but the cultivation of confidence, character and possibility.

As Our Moon Education celebrates its tenth anniversary, we feel immense gratitude to be part of this journey. The students have enriched our lives beyond measure, and their optimism continues to inspire our belief that Zambia’s future is bright, capable, and full of promise.

“The next generation is capable of remarkable leadership when given encouragement, opportunity and trust”. Vanessa and Daniel

THE POSSIBILITY OF MORE

Tiwonge - Class of 2020-21 - comfortable in her skin, looking forward to her next step

“ Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achiev e . ”Napoleon Hill

Growing up, I had a limited view of what was possible. Even with strong grades and big dreams, financial constraints and a lack of role models made those goals feel distant and almost impossible.

Before I even applied to Our Moon, I remember reading stories of alumni from backgrounds like mine who had earned scholarships and traveled across the world to study. For the first time, I saw myself reflected in those stories. For the first time, I allowed myself to hope for a bigger future.

My journey at Our Moon taught me to see the world through different lenses. I began to believe that anything was possible, not only in where I could study, but even in what I could choose to study. Growing up, exposure to careers was limited. In my community, every “smart” student was expected to become a doctor. For a long time, I believed I should follow that formula, survive within it, and not create my own path.

I still remember one of my first lessons at Our Moon: the world will ask you who you are, and if you do not have an answer, it will give you one. Our Moon gave me the space to find that answer for myself. It gave me a voice. It gave me the confidence to explore who I truly am and what I am passionate about. Slowly, I began to believe that I could make an impact in my world.

Today, I have just graduated with a BSc in Psychology with a minor in Mathematics from Ashoka University, combining my interests in mathematical logic and human behaviour. I have had the opportunity not only to explore and research questions I have always wondered about, but also to apply what I learn to real-life situations. Through these experiences, I have begun contributing to conversations and spaces bigger than myself. Slowly but surely, I am finding my place in the world.

I now speak in rooms that fifteen-year-old me could never have imagined entering. Even more meaningfully, I get to be an example for students from backgrounds like mine. I get to remind them that even if your beginning is small, your future does not have to be.

Now, as I prepare to graduate, I still do not know everything my future holds. But for the first time in my life, I feel confident and excited in the face of uncertainty because I truly believe that anything is possible.

“The world will ask you how you are and if you do not have an answer, it will give you one”. Tiwonge

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Doug and Kim - Host family and donor - talk about how hosting Davies and John has brought new meaning to their lives

Kim and I first learned about Our Moon in the spring of 2025. At that time we had been involved in rural development in Zambia over 15 years through what is now our Zeal for Zambia foundation (www.ZealForZambia.org). Turns out one of our donors is good friends with one of the Our Moon board members … and an introduction was made … that has led us on an incredible journey.

In the summer of 2025 we met John who had been accepted into and was coming to Dartmouth, and Davies who had been accepted into and was coming Tufts. Since we live in the Boston area, we agreed to be mentors and really “US parents” for both of them. What a journey from meeting them when they first arrived in the US, to having the two of them stay with us for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, walking with them along Crane Beach, taking them on the Freedom Trail around Boston, eating out with both of them at Lou’s up at Dartmouth, … and with Davies, since he is local, we’ve been able to grab him for breakfasts during the year, and a celebration dinner when he recently finished his first year.

And more significantly, we have introduced Davies to our network of faith and business leaders around the Boston area. This has enabled him to join a strong faith community as well as to sit down with leaders in the tech sector to discuss his academic plans and future. A totally amazing and heart warming journey for us!!

Then even more incredible, we were able to visit Our Moon in Zambia last fall (2025) on the way up to Zeal For Zambia … since we were literally driving right by it! Got to meet the team, tour the campus, and most importantly spend a couple of hours with the 21 then current students talking about the world and answering their incredible questions. What a group! And what an experience to see the progression from rural Zambian villages (where Zeal For Zambia works) … to the Our Moon boarding school still in rural Zambia… to success at Tufts and Dartmouth. We can’t wait to see what comes next!!

“Since we live in the Boston area, we agreed to be mentors and really “US parents” for both of them. What a journey from meeting them when they first arrived in the US”. Doug and Kim

LETTING IN THE LIGHT

Amorry - Class or 2026-27 - writes allegorically about his childhood experiences and how they have shaped him

As Leonard Cohen said, "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."

A spotted cheetah named Lucius had always wanted to see how the sky looked. Unfortunately, the forest was blanketed in fog. The trees - as tall as Canadian redwoods - surrounded the forest like two tall mountains. His family possessed minds sharper than any spear. They mapped the stars, predicted herd movements with mathematical precision, and engineered silent, low-energy hunting formations.

Without hope, Lucius pressed his hand against the frozen, black bark of the giant redwood. The tree lunged straight upward, its massive trunk disappearing into a low, suffocating ceiling of gray mist. Overhead, the tightly locked canopy choked out the sun, leaving the forest floor trapped in a permanent, heavy twilight.He took a step forward, his boots sinking into wet moss and rotting leaves. The air smelled of damp earth and old rot. It was so thick he could taste the moisture on his tongue. Visibility was gone. The world had shrunk to a radius of three feet; everything else was a solid wall of white.

Yet, genius could not buy territory.

Driven out by brutal lion prides, they were trapped. Fortunately, Lucius orchestrated a flawless hunt, downing a squirrel using a third less energy than a normal cheetah would. Unfortunately, before his family could take a bite, a cackling clan of hyenas emerged from the bush. "We should retreat," he whispered bitterly.

Lucius looked at the giant trees he had climbed that no one thought a cheetah would. He looked at how Malachi had cleared a path for him. He imagined how his passion would die. He had worked so hard to get out of that forest and now that he has earned the wings needed to finally see the sky, the woods have spoiled them. As the dying amber light of late afternoon bled into evening, Lucius paused before the rotting sign just as the heavy, dark fog rolled in like a closing curtain, swallowing the final rays of the sun and erasing the flaking letters into total shadow.

They ran - their brilliant minds starving, their bellies empty. They had the intellect to build an empire, but in a wasteland ruled by raw power and stolen resources, their genius was entirely consumed by the exhausting art of staying alive. This family was powered by its cheetah as there were no men to help out.

After the family witnessed the knowledge and determination that Lucius had portrayed, they chose to speak to Malachi. He took Lucius and made him see the sun. Unfortunately, the fog did not drift; it waited.

In a blink of an eye, the wolves yelled, Our Mooooon! Our moo…n! Then he realised that it was not yet over. He can still see the sky hence he followed and asked a white wolf with long flowing hair. This wolf encouraged and showed the Cheetah that this will be the time to be a change maker. The wolf said unto him,"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.This was all that Lucius had to do, make good use of the opportunity that was given to thee. The path was clear. Lucius finally understood what he had to do: embrace the crack in the darkness, and make good use of the opportunity that had been given to him.

BEYOND THE DEGREE: A JOURNEY OF PROFESSIONAL READINESS Racheal - Class of 2022-23 - Studying Psychology at United States International University Africa, with financial support from MasterCard Foundation

My path to professional readiness began with a bold choice: I wanted to empower myself before stepping onto a university campus. This desire for growth led me to Our Moon, which catalyzed my professional "show up." It opened the doors to two experiences that have since defined my career trajectory: PwC and Pioneer Academy

The corporate lens: Growth at PWC

Interning at PricewaterhouseCoopers was my first true immersion into a high-level professional space. Working within Human Capital, I studied human behavior. I learned the silent power of "showing up"- the value of being present in a meeting, observing how leaders communicate, and understanding the discipline it takes to manage a global workforce. This experience turned my interest in Industrial Psychology from theory into a clear career vision, showing me the potential of my professional life.

My transition at Pioneer Academic

While learning the ropes at PwC, I was simultaneously being challenged as a scholar at Pioneer Academics. My interactions with a university professor taught me the importance of being prepared, curious, and ready to be stretched. This relationship sparked a long-term commitment where I transitioned from a scholar to an alumni panelist, a Cohort Advisor, and eventually into Virtual Administrative Support.

Most recently, this journey has come full circle in my role as a Student Interviewer. Being trusted to evaluate the next generation of scholars has been the ultimate test of my professional judgment and communication. Balancing these responsibilities alongside my studies at USIU-Africa has forced me to master time management and prioritizationensuring that I maintain my academic standing while building a career in real-time.

“I learned the silent power of showing up” Racheal

Continuing the journey

From a high school graduate seeking an "unknown chapter" to an early profession, my journey has been fueled by consistently showing up. Today, I continue to build my transition into Management Consultancy, looking toward a future at consulting firms. I am moving forward, committed to learning, while continuing to apply the diligence built from Our Moon and the immense opportunities it has offered me.

WITNESSING TRANSFORMED LIVES

Bupe Lughano Kabaghe - Growth Strategist, Governance and Youth Advocate, Board Member at Afrobarometer and Interdisciplinary Scholar

Ten years is a remarkable milestone, but what strikes me most about Our Moon is that it is not an organisation you simply pass through. It is a community that stays with you long after a cohort graduates. In many ways, once you become part of Our Moon, you never really leave.

The students often speak about how Our Moon transformed their lives. What I did not expect was how much it would transform mine. As Our Moon celebrates ten years, its greatest achievement is not simply the opportunities it has created, but the people it has helped shape and the countless lives they continue to touch.

My own journey with Our Moon began as a supporter from afar. I first encountered its work at a fundraising event in London and was immediately drawn to its mission of opening opportunities for talented young Zambians. Years later, through the Oxford Ubuntu Programme, I had the privilege of working directly with students and spending time with them in Mbulo Chipasha village. It was there that I witnessed Our Moon’s true impact.

What impressed me was not only the students' academic ambition, but the kind of people they were becoming. They were curious, thoughtful, hardworking and deeply supportive of one another. They challenged themselves to grow while celebrating each other's successes as if they were their own. Our Moon does far more than prepare students for university and careers; it nurtures people with purpose, integrity and a commitment to others.

What makes this so powerful is that the impact does not stop with the students themselves. The values cultivated at Our Moon ripple outward into families, communities and everyone fortunate enough to encounter them. I experienced this personally. Although I arrived as a mentor, there were many moments when the students encouraged and inspired me. Their kindness, optimism and generosity of spirit reminded me that leadership is not only about achievement, but about how we make others feel.

“Our Moon...is a community that stays with you long after a cohort graduates...you never really leave”. Lughano

OUR MOON: HELPING ME CREATE IMPACT Mutinta - Class of 2024-25 - Studying at African Leadership University in Rwanda

During my time at Our Moon, I was wanted to help my community solve its biggest challenges. When marketeers struggled without a proper market shelter, I stepped into the market and spoke with community leaders about building one. I even approached the area Member of Parliament. I was scared, but I knew I had to step up. Our Moon taught me something simple but powerful: once you see a challenge, do not wait for someone else to fix it. Take the lead. Take action.

Over time, our Moon became more than a program. It became the place where I learned that leadership is not always loud. Sometimes, leadership was washing dishes when everyone was tired. Sometimes it was staying late to fix a problem no one else noticed. Through community engagement and teamwork, I realised how much I value collective growth over individual spotlight. I began to see that my strength lies in building systems that allow others to thrive.

Climate action hub: My journey at the ALU

Now at the African Leadership University (ALU), that same instinct to step up continues, but in a bigger way. Together with two classmates, I am building the Climate Action Hub, a university-based training program that encourages active responses to climate change. The idea is urgent but practical: universities already have land, classrooms, and young minds. Why not turn them into centres for climate-smart farming, seed banking, and recycling? Why not create spaces where students, farmers, and youth collaborate instead of working in isolation?

The Hub is still a work in progress. We are researching, engaging stakeholders, refining budgets, and designing long-term models. Leading this team of brilliant students has been amazing, and it stretches me. It pushes me to think beyond immediate help and toward sustainability.

To move the idea from concept to reality, we developed a prototype that outlines how the Climate Action Hub will function in practice, from training modules to partnerships, land use, and community engagement. This is no longer just about solving today’s issue. It is about building something that continues after we leave.

The Climate Action Hub reflects something deeply personal to me. Growing up, I watched my mother utilise every resource we had. Scarcity was not a theory to me; it was a lived experience. That is why I believe limitations can spark innovation. Climate change and food insecurity are real threats, especially in communities like mine. But solutions must be practical, local, and community-owned. Through this project, I am connecting my lived experience with structured problem-solving. It is no longer just about volunteering. It is about designing change.

Reflection on growth and direction

If I compare who I was before Our Moon to who I am now, the difference is very clear; I have gained deeper clarity and a sense of purpose.

I understand that I thrive in collaborative spaces. I enjoy negotiating ideas, supporting teams, and turning abstract problems into workable plans. I have learned to manage time better, communicate more directly, and step forward even when I feel uncertain.

Our Moon showed me that growth does not happen in comfort. It happens in responsibility. Without those experiences, I might never have discovered how deeply I care about community-led economic growth and sustainable solutions. I might not even have seen how education, climate action, and empowerment intersect.

My long-term goal is clear: to help communities move from dependency to self-sufficiency — to build systems that reduce poverty and food shortages not temporarily, but structurally.

The road ahead

I am still at the beginning of my journey. But I now see my path more clearly: community development rooted in practical action. Whether through entrepreneurship, policy, or grassroots initiatives, I want to design spaces where people are equipped with skills and not rescued. The Climate Action Hub is one starting point.

“I enjoy negotiating ideas, supporting teams and turning abstract problems into workable plans”. Mutinta

Five years from now, I may not know exactly where I will be. But I know I will continue choosing environments that will challenge me and allow me to serve meaningfully. Because if Our Moon taught me anything, it is this: small, consistent contributions can grow into something far bigger than we imagine

JOURNEY OF CHANGE

Caren - Class of 2026-27 - Advocate for girls’ and women’s rights

Growing up in a place where drug addiction and teenage pregnancies were common, I mostly spent my time wondering how I could make a difference. I never knew where to begin, but I had the determination that drove me to help others envision a brighter future. This determination motivated me to take action and become a positive influence in my community.

Youth Education and Community Development

Creating an organisation for the youth was the only positive change I could contribute to my community. My goal was not to change everyone, but to make an impact on the few people I could influence. When I was coming up with the plans, I was a bit sceptical, but with the help of friends, neighbours and other interested people, the journey began.

Together We Can was a group that focused on disseminating information and teaching young people about the vulnerabilities and repercussions of both drug addiction and teenage pregnancies. The programme had a unique approach to education and awareness compared to other community activities.

Convincing people to join the initiative was quite challenging, but with time, many got interested. Persistence, determination and community engagement made the youths interested and committed to the cause. I realised that leadership was knocking on my door, and that was because I was aware of what was affecting my community. Within a few weeks of meetings, elderly members of the community volunteered to teach during some of the meetings and that gave the youths a sense of seriousness.

The mission was slowly understood by many people, and that opened their eyes to see that the youth were going astray. The parents’ reaction towards the movement was really inspiring, and that contributed to the success of the group. Through this experience, I realised that I had more strengths than I recognised before. I was able to communicate clearly, and I was able to organise activities and work with others. Overall, I realised that leadership comes with a lot of burdens; bearing them is the only way to show your capability.

Being aware of problems is not enough; actions penetrate more and leave impact. Saving the upcoming future is a necessity and that is proven by the traditional Bemba saying ‘Imiti ikula empanga’ meaning that today’s plants are tomorrow’s forests. Youth are the plants that will make the forests; if they go astray, the future is in total chaos. Preserving them today might seem tirinf but the life they will lead will be a source of pride. Leading them in the right direction requires effort, patience and sacrifice.

“Being aware of the problem is not enough; action penetrates more and leaves an impact”.

Caren

LONGER-TERM IMPACT

Chabota - Ambassador of Social Change 2017 - Studied Business Administration at KNUST, now working at M’kango Golf View Hotel and Founder of IT literacy charity

Where it all begun

My journey with Our Moon Education began in 2017, right after I completed high school. I was selected to attend a transformative boot camp in Chibombo. It was a moment that would quietly reshape my path in a way I never imagined. The training focused on self-identity, social change, community impact, and personal growth. That experience planted a strong desire in me, a desire to give back meaningfully to my family, my community, and my nation.

We live because of help, and to help back

Our Moon’s impact did not end with the boot camp; it evolved into opportunities that changed my life. In 2022, through the support of Our Moon and the guidance of CEO Helen Leale Green, I was awarded a Mastercard Foundation scholarship to study in Ghana.

There, I pursued a BSc in Business Administration, majoring in International Business. This opportunity expanded my worldview and strengthened my sense of purpose. It reminded me that the help we receive is not meant to end with us, but to flow through us. We rise not only for ourselves, but so we can lift others.

Building for the future

“The help we receive is not meant to end with us , but to flow through us”. Chabota

Inspired by this journey, I began giving back through action. Since 2023, I have been conducting Computer Literacy classes to equip others with essential digital skills. What started as a simple initiative is now slowly growing into a structured program, currently in the process of being registered.

The venture aims to advance Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by promoting digital literacy and equipping learners with the technological competencies necessary to thrive in today’s digital economy.

IMPACT THROUGH LOVE, CONSISTENCY AND ACTION Damaris - Class of 2021-22 - Studying Agronomy Engineering at Earth University in Costa Rica

When I think about impact, I think about the journey rather than just the destination. As I approach the end of my time at EARTH University, I can see how the lessons I learnt as a young person continue to shape how I lead, learn, and serve.

My experience with Our Moon was one of the first places where I understood the power of a single opportunity and the ripple effect it can create. It showed me that changing one life can be the beginning of changing a thousand others. The encouragement, guidance and belief I received became a light I still carry, not only for myself, but for the people and communities around me. Those lessons continue to guide me. My time at EARTH has challenged me to grow academically, personally and as a leader. Through community projects, my role in the African Students Union and now in Student Government, I have learnt that impact isn’t about holding a position, it is about representing others, listening with intention and creating spaces where people feel seen and valued.

My passion for sustainable systems has also become an expression of service. Through my graduation research project on transforming agricultural residues, maize cobs, cocoa shells, sugarcane bagasse into charcoal briquettes, I’ve seen how challenges can become opportunities for innovation. This work is rooted in a reality many communities across Sub-Saharan Africa face: the need for accessible, sustainable energy while protecting our natural resources. As young African scientists and leaders, our role isn’t only to identify problems, but to contribute solutions that are practical, locally relevant and built with our communities in mind.

I have come to understand that impact is built through love, consistency and action. As I prepare to graduate, I carry forward the spirit that began with Our Moon: a desire to keep learning, growing and using my knowledge in service of others, a reminder that impact is measured not only by what we accomplish, but by the lives we touch along the way.

“As young African scientists and leaders, our role isn’t only to identify problems, but to contribute solutions that are practical, locally relevant and built with our communities in mind.”. Damaris

Our Moon Education, 1165083, 2024 - 46

HELPING STUDENTS SETTLE INTO THEIR NEW LIVES Andrea Lowe - Passionate volunteer and donor, working with students headed to the US, providing bedding and finding host families for support

I knew Helen from PwC London, and have been delighted to be involved with Our Moon since 2017. My friend Grace and I ensured that students going to US colleges had sheets and other dorm essentials on arrival, and where possible, introduced them to a local family to give them a break from studies.

My father was a US diplomat, so I grew up in Africa and Asia and learned early the importance of empathy and resilience. I am full of admiration for how Our Moon prepares its students so these impressive young people can travel the globe. They immerse themselves in new cultures, while staying very connected to each other, to make the very most of their educational opportunities and determine how these can translate to meaningful change for Zambia.

It is a challenge that the US is currently denying student visas to citizens of Zambia and other countries. But Our Moon is pivoting, finding new opportunities in more countries where the universities have a truly international student body, which will mean a more global network for all Our Moon students. These varied new experiences, in countries with perhaps a more international outlook, where climate change mitigation may be of national importance, may provide more relevant insights and solutions for Zambia now. Dependence on AI with data centres and even reliable internet connectivity can’t be guaranteed in many parts of the world. But as mobile payments in Africa showed, not being hampered by legacy systems enables you to leapfrog. Our Moon students are grounded and curious; they are exceptionally able and well-placed to explore globally and then find the right local solutions.

So here is to 10 years of an amazing journey where each year Our Moon has grown and strengthened. The increasing number of Our Moon graduates, interns, and students are a tightknit family helping each other and Zambia to greater heights. Congratulations to all on this milestone, and here’s to the next successful decade!

“Our Moon students are grounded and curious; they are exceptionally able and well-placed to explore globally and then find the right local solutions”.

Andrea

PASSIONATE ABOUT CONTRIBUTING TO HER COUNTRY

Quincy - Class of 2017-18 - Studied Economics at University of Edinburgh, worked at BlackRock, co-founder of a charity in her home town, about to study for a Masters in Public Policy at University of Oxford and a Trustee for Our Moon

~~Th~~ e lived experience of growing up in a low income and abusive home often leaves a bitter aftertaste, but my story is different. While the details are a story for another day, those experiences have profoundly shaped my sense of responsibility towards Zambia. Inspiring my commitment to expand educational access for vulnerable young people and my journey into public policy.

Today, I serve as part of the leadership team of ‘Scholars of Hope’ – a Zambian local charity founded by CBU students, through which we have supported over 400 vulnerable pupils with essential school supplies, enabling them to remain in school. And reached over 4,000 pupils across Zambian state schools through our mentorship program, helping them to recognise the transformative power of education through our own journeys.

My dedication to educational access is also connected to my journey with OurMoon. Because I know first-hand what this support made possible, giving back has become a part of my purpose. Since graduating in 2018, I have served as its first student advisor to the Board of Trustees, developed the annual alumni conference, and created a mentorship programme connecting alumni with current scholars. Currently, I serve on the alumni fundraising committee, personally raising over $39,000 over the last 2-3 years through BlackRock, to support future generations of students.

debt can mean the difference between survival and collapse. When we defaulted on foreign bond interest payments in 2020, I witnessed firsthand how fragile creditworthiness can undermine economic stability and national dignity. But what pierced deeper was the knowledge that solutions exist, if only we can look beyond ourselves and think of the greater good. Hence my decision to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy at Oxford University, after having learnt the mechanics of global debt financing through my role as a debt financial analyst at BlackRock.

Professionally, I aim to contribute to sound economic policy design, rooted in growth and accountability, with a focus on rebuilding Zambia’s credit reputation. For Zambia, debt is not simply a financial instrument; it is a lifeline. With over half the population living in poverty, access to

“Because I know first-hand what [OurMoon’s] support made possible, giving back has become a part of my purpose”. Quincy

RHODES SCHOLAR AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE ADVOCATE Janet- Class of 2017-18 - Studied Civil Engineering at University of Edinburgh and a Rhodes Scholar at University of Oxford, studying for a PhD

In my final year as a Civil Engineering student at the University of Edinburgh, I expected to pursue structural engineering in industry. That changed after a departmental research internship on the impact of cyclones on traditional buildings in Madagascar under climate change. That experience sparked my interest in research and showed me that, as an engineer, I could contribute to society beyond the design office.

I was first drawn to Civil Engineering because of its tangible and immediate impact on people’s lives. Growing up in Lusaka, Zambia in a low-income household, I became aware of how much access to reliable infrastructure shapes people’s opportunities and quality of life. Adequate infrastructure is not only a technical achievement; it is foundational to safety, mobility, education, health, and economic participation. Through engineering, I hope to help create cities and spaces where people can thrive.

I am now reading for a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, after being selected as one of two Zambians awarded the Rhodes Scholarship in 2022. My research assesses the impact of climate change on low-rise masonry buildings vulnerable to damage from ground subsidence and heave. Changes in water content cause clay soils to shrink or swell, leading to differential ground movement that can damagelightweight construction on shallow foundations. Although this geohazard has significant global economic consequences, it remains under-researched. I have developed a numerical model to simulate this multiphysics problem and assess ground movements and structural response under different climatic conditions.

While at Oxford, I have continued to share my passion for engineering and women’s representation in the field. Through the Institution of Structural Engineers Young Members Panel, I have represented young engineers for three years, co-organised the annual Young Engineers Conference, helped create the global IStructE Student Challenge, and participated in outreach including EngineeringUK’s Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, reaching over 60,000 pupils in the UK. I have also tutored undergraduates in Engineering Science at Oxford.

With the support and guidance I received from OurMoon, I have been lucky enough to pursue my academic interests to the fullest. Thanks to the generosity of the MasterCard Foundation Programme at Edinburgh and the Rhodes Trust, I have been able to pursue opportunities that 16year-old me could only dream of.

“Adequate infrastructure is not only a technical achievement; it is foundational to safety, mobility, education, health, and economic participation”. Janet

A LIFE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS

Prince - Class of 2017-18 - Recently graduated from University of Zambia in Medicine

My journey has been shaped by resilience, purpose, and a commitment to making a difference. I come from a family of ten children and am the third born. Raised by my mother in a family with limited financial resources, I learned from an early age that education was the key to transforming not only my life but also the lives of those around me.

Growing up, I understood the challenges that come with hardship, and these experiences inspired me to work hard and remain focused on my goals.As I prepared to transition to higher education, I was fortunate to join Our Moon. This became a turning point in my life.

Through Our Moon, I gained valuable skills that strengthened me both academically and personally. The organisation taught me the importance of critical thinking, effective decision-making, strategic planning, and smart approaches to accomplishing tasks. More importantly, it helped me become more focused, disciplined, and goal-oriented.

My passion has always been in the health sector, and Our Moon opened my eyes to the many ways I could positively contribute to improving the lives of others through healthcare and community service. Being part of the organisation felt like being part of a family united by a shared belief in the power of humanity, compassion, and community impact.

Inspired by these values and driven by a desire to serve others, I chose to pursue a career in medicine. Today, I am proud to have graduated from the University of Zambia with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree. This achievement is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the sacrifices of my mother, the support of mentors, and the opportunities provided by organizations such as OurMoon.

As I look to the future, I am excited to join the dedicated medical professionals in Zambia who work tirelessly to deliver quality healthcare and improve the well being of communitiesacross the country.

“Our Moon opened my eyes to the many ways I could positively contribute to improving the lives of others through healthcare and community service”. Prince

FRIEND TO EVERYONE ON CAMPUS

Mirriam - General Worker - always works with a smile on her face

My name is Miriam Kajoba, and I work at Our Moon. My job involves a variety of tasks that help keep the environment clean, organized, and welcoming. Some of my responsibilities include sweeping and cleaning the compound, watering the flower beds, cleaning the toilets and rooms, and preparing food for Justin on Sundays. Although these tasks require hard work and dedication, I enjoy doing them because they allow me to contribute positively to the organization.

One of the things I like most about working at Our Moon is the opportunity to learn new skills. Since I started working here, I have gained valuable experience that I believe will help me in the future.

Through my daily responsibilities, I have learned the importance of cleanliness, organization, time management, and responsibility. These are skills that can be used in many different jobs and situations in life. I am grateful for everything I have learned while working at Our Moon. The experience I have gained has helped me grow both personally and professionally. I believe that even if I were to leave this job one day, the skills I have developed here would continue to benefit me and help me succeed in future employment opportunities.

Overall, I am thankful for my experience at Our Moon and for all the knowledge and skills I continue to gain. I believe these lessons will remain useful throughout my life and will help me achieve my future goals.

Working at Our Moon has taught me the value of hard work and commitment. It has also given me confidence in my ability to perform different tasks and learn new things. I appreciate the opportunity to be part of an organization that not only provides employment but also helps people develop important life skills. Working here has been a great turning point for my family and me. The money has helped us provide for ourselves with basic needs and wants.

“I believe that even if I were to leave this job one day, the skills I have developed here would continue to benefit me and help me succeed in future employment opportunities.”. Mirriam

WHERE AMBITION FINDS DIRECTION AND PURPOSE

Zoe - Class of 2018-19 - Studied International Relations and Quantitative Methods at University of Edinburgh, works in London, and passionate about everything from AI to film making

I never get tired of telling my story with Our Moon, but this is the first time I've had the opportunity to share my professional story with the community. In many ways I am not the same person I was when I became an Our Moon Scholar nearly a decade ago, and it is easy for me to trace the roots of my growth to the first and most fundamental lesson I learnt here: don't assume anything.

Ambition can be wonderful, but don't assume it always is. For someone like me, who has been working in some way since I was 12, lack of ambition was a luxury I could not afford. So I overprepared, overextended, and kept moving. An object in motion stays in motion, a child who grows up facing odds will become an adult who likes to defy them. For a long time, I never stopped to ask myself why I was doing what I was doing, or who it was all for. I wanted to be the best at everything because being the best was a survival mechanism for me. I now know and accept that about myself. The next step was determining which odds were actually worthy of defying. Energy is a finite resource, after all.

Looking back, I am grateful for the decisions I've made, from the decision to become a part of the Our Moon family to the decision to switch careers and find a role where my ambition has both direction and purpose. We will not always get the dream job straight away, but ambition is an arrow, and direction matters. There is still a restlessness that rears its head sometimes when I type away at my desk, but it is a restlessness I have made peace with. As long as I am on a path I have chosen, today we type away, tomorrow we conquer the corner of the world I have deemed worthy of my ambition.

When I look at my professional life so far, I laugh, because there are so many more worlds to conquer.

“It is easy for me to trace the roots of my growth to the first and most fundamental lesson I learnt [at Our Moon]: don't assume anything”. Zoe

OUR MOON’S FUTURE AND HOW YOU CAN HELP Helen Leale-Green - Founder and CEO

I often say I have the best job in the world. Some might disagree: it’s unpaid, it rarely stops and fundraising can be relentlessly stressful. But the privilege of working alongside our staff and students, and seeing the impact of that work, makes every challenge worthwhile.

Nothing compares to watching young people step into their potential. John K for example, is already making his mark at Dartmouth College, driven by a deep commitment to poverty alleviation and climate adaptation. Fred, affectionately known as the Lion King of Zambia, has just graduated from Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service with a double major in Global Affairs and Business, and a minor in Economics. These are not just individual successes; they are glimpses of what becomes possible when ability meets opportunity.

As we look ahead, there are clear priorities for the next ten years. We must build more sustainable funding. We must reach many more young people, equipping them with the mindset to challenge assumptions, think openly, and create their own pathways. I am particularly proud of Naomi who once aspired to be a doctor, but grasped an opportunity to study Epidemiology and Biostatistics and loves that she is working in a field that can impact global health. Of Kate, who opted to go back to undergraduate study in her mid-twenties to pursue Psychology, a subject she was passionate about. And of all our students who push themselves way beyond their comfort levels to make their mark in the spaces they find themselves in.

This is the essence of our work: helping people see differently, think differently and act differently.

It is also a privilege to spend time in Zambia, building relationships and deepening my understanding of its people, its challenges, and its enormous potential. This work has never been one-directional; it continually shapes and teaches me too.

I have a simple philosophy when I talk to students about their future. I don’t ask them what they want to be - I know they will say, “I want to be a doctor or an engineer”. Instead, I explore with them what problems they want to solve in the world. In this way, it guides their research, their activities and their future studies. I hope it leads them to a life filled with purpose and contribution to wider society as well as to improving their own lives.

“I have the best job in the world”. Helen

A MILLION THANKS....

None of this would have been possible without the support of so many people and organisations for their roles over our ten-year journey. A few organisations and people deserve special mention because of their longer-term support:

The Chief Liteta of the Lenje people and the Headmen of Mbulo Chipansha Village for making us so welcome .

Trustees in the UK, US and Zambia

A special mention to Rich Bowen for Chairing our board for the past four years, to Alan Leale-Green for preparing the accounts and to Will Sullivan for helping establish and Chair the 501(c)(3).

Staff in Zambia

A big shout out to Justin Mushitu for being an incredible co-founder, always wanting to experiment and try new things and never happy to settle for second best. Also to Ntasuwila Nambao and Malama Mushitu as our longest term employees, and everyone else who supports us.

Trusts and Foundations

Souter Charitable Trust - donated in each of our ten years - thank you for believing in us at every step of our journey

Brian Murtagh Charitable Trust - donated a relatively large sum for three years at the very early stages of our organisation. Without these donations, we might never have got Our Moon off the ground

John Collings Educational Trust - our donor for several years, based here in Tunbridge Wells - thank you for your continued support.

Long Term Partner Organisations

HALI Access Network - also celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year. As an inaugural member, Our Moon has benefitted hugely from being part of the HALI family where we share and make opportunities for each other, make connections and ensure we continue to learn.

Pro Bono Supporters

Psychotherapy and counselling pro bono support of students and alumni - Ally Buck, Fungai Munyeza, Chipala McCalla and Kate Kong

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP for legal support during our ten years, from helping with contracts, volunteer agreements, MoUs to, more recently, providing support for us in establishing a 501(c)(3) - a registered non-profit in the US

Patrick Glass - colleague and friend of many years, spends time reviewing all Young Leader applications, and tutors the Young Leaders once a week on general knowledge

Keith Browne and the teachers at International School of Geneva (Ecolint) who have mentored our students in their research essays over the past seven years, contributing hugely to our students’ future study choices. They have also donated a large number of chrome books for the use of our students and young people in our local village

Menking Tutoring for several years has donated his online SAT training course to our students to help gain admission to US and other universities inside and outside the USA

Duolingo English Test has donated English test vouchers not only to all our students, but to all those within the HALI Access Network

BlackRock and Bank of America for providing match funding

Google and Microsoft for donating licenses of Google Workplace and Office respectively.

Internship providers

We are immensely lucky that great organisations provide our students with internship opportunities. We are thankful to all, but a special thanks goes to Andrew Chibuye, Country Partner of PwC, who was prepared to give our vision a go, leading to internships being a critical part of our Young Leaders Programme.

Donors

Pestalozzi International - where Helen and Justin met in the UK, and which has been a constant support and partner during our growth stage.

Our donors come in all shapes and sizes, from donors of large sums of money to donors of clothes for our staff and students in Zambia, raffle and auction prizes. We thank you all.

Host Families

We are so fortunate to have some very kind and caring host families for our students when they go to university. Their support is invaluable for a young person living away from home usually for the first time. But a special mention should go to Andrea Lowe and Grace Nola whose brainchild this scheme was.

Our Alumni

For supporting our current students both formally through the buddy scheme to helping with application essays. A special mention should go to Quincy Namonje for always supporting Our Moon and now becoming a Trustee

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT US.....

We are always very grateful for all the support we receive, however large or small, and whether regular or irregular donations. There are many ways in which can donate:

We like to recognise our supporters and have three tiers of support. In order to implement our programmes, unrestricted funding is most useful for us to enable us to spend money where it is most needed. However, if you prefer to make a restricted gift, please get in touch:

For UK supporters

To make a donation, please use the green QR code or click on this link. Donations made by UK tax payers will enable us to claim Gift Aid, increasing the value of your donation to us by 25%.

For US supporters

F riends of Our Moon Inc, a registered 501(c)(3) can take your donations. They are tax deductible so please keep your receipt to make your tax claim. Please use the blue QR code or click on this link.

For Zambian supporters

We can accept donations straight into Our Moon’s Stanbic Bank Account. Please contact us for details on +447720287904 or helen.leale-green@ourmoon.org.uk

All other supporters, please get in touch

Moonbeamer - you bring us first light

For donations up to £250

£250 provides start-up funds and the first month of food and toiletries on our programme

You will receive our newsletter and invitations to attend events we are holding.

Moonriser - you help raise us up

For donations of between £250-£1000

£1000 provides for students’ food, data and transport. You will receive the newsletter, invitations to our inoerson events and to meet our students online, where they will talk about their ambitions and purpose.

Moonlighter - you shape our future

For donations of £1000+

£5000 provides one Young Leaders’ costs from the start of our programme until arriving at university or will pay towards our classroom buildings.

You will receive a personalised update, have the opportunity to meet and greet our students online and join one of our online events with our students. You can also have the chance to meet our trustees.

ÈPILOG Our Moon Education 026-57

`CAN WE TRULY FEEL AT HOME IN A WORLD FAR FROM WHERE WE BEGAN?` Tionge class of 2022-23

The packing began two weeks before I left Zambia for the United States to begin my undergraduate studies. I
didn’t think much about what life would be like in a new country. As I packed, my dad told me to carry
something that would remind me of “home.” I laughed, but still packed a Chitenge dress, drawn more to its
slit than any meaning it held. While packing, I remembered hearing about Africans who move abroad and try to
blend in, adopting “Americanized” styles and accents. I laughed and swore I would never become one of them.

At home, life was loud with conversations, talking with my brother about changing the world, laughing over
burnt food, my mum quietly asking how I was, my sisters teasing, advising, and reminding me who I was. I
never thought much of these moments. That changed when I left.

On my journey, between flights and failed Wi-Fi, the reality began to sink in. By my second day in the US, I
froze during introductions when people shared pronouns, something unfamiliar to me me. After a week, I
started searching for people like me, wanting to ask every Black person if they were Zambian.

I ate meals alone. My clothes no longer excited me. Video calls weren’t enough. I began to realize how much
I had taken for granted, the closeness of family, the ease of connection, the comfort of being understood.

But slowly, I am learning that finding home again does not always mean finding people exactly like me.
Sometimes, it begins with small conversations, with letting people learn who I am, and being open to
learning who they are. Sometimes, it means holding on to where I come from while allowing myself to grow
into where I am.

Perhaps home isn’t a place at all, but a collection of people and moments that stay with us, no matter where
we go.

CONTACT DETAILS

Helen Leale-Green

Helen.leale-green@ourmoon.org.uk +44 (0) 7720 287904

Justin Mushitu

Justin.mushitu@ourmoon.org.uk +260 97 2221856

SOCIALS

: helen-leale-green-26ba6150

: ourmooneducation

: www.ourmoon.org.uk

PLEASE DONATE:

Photo credits: Malama Mushitu Maxwell Kabwe Ireen Ngango

We are members of the following organisations:

OUR MOON EDUCATION - CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF IMPACT www.ourmoon.org.uk | +447720287904

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CONTACT INFORMATION LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION OUR MOON EDUCATION Trustees Funmi Akinluyi Richard Bowen (Chairl Alan Leale-Green Helen Leale-Green Kim Polley Dhruv Sarda (appointed 27 January 20251 Vanessa Strauss Chanda Singoyi Krishan Tailor lapwinted 28 January 20251 Trustees Helen Leaie.Green (President) Justine Buchizya Mushitu (Country Director) Thomas Lifuti Victoria Siachiwena Mpazi Nambao Helen Leale-Green Helen.leale-green@ourmTr)n.org.uk +441017720 287904 Justin Mushltu Justs'n.mushitu@ourmoon.org.uk +260 97 2221856 Charlty number RNGO 10110688117 SOCIA Registered office Our th)on Zambia Off Old Mumbwa Road Mbulo-Chipan5ha Chibomtm) District Central Provin Charfty number 1165083 ur cati rmoo educati Registered office The Coach House, Hurstwood Lane Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8YA Bankers Stanbic Bank Main Branch H7 JM +328 Lusaka Bankers Barclays Bank plc, 8 Calverley Rd, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN12TB Independent examiner Ryan Evans FCA, Cadence Accounting Limited, Suite 3, 157 Station Road East, Oxted, RH8 OQE 2- Moon EdLKation* 1165083, 2025

RSPECTIVES UR'MOON'S M PA INE s*RoA4L PLE, OVERNANC PR LO INAN ur.mwn Educ ion, I1652025- 3

SECTION I: ECT,IVES ON 2025 1.41 6. (hjr Moo Education, 1165083, 2025

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES. RICH BOWEN Dear Friends and Supporters, At the same time. the year eThled wfth a STgnlflcant external challenge. Just as offer5 from unlversltle5 In the Unlted States were beglnnlng to con through. a U.S. travel and vlsa travel ban was imposed affecting Zamblan tltizens Including our Students. As tru5tee5, we belleve it is important to be candid alxsut this. Our students alreaty in the United States remain safe and able to continue their studies, but opportunities to remain to gain work experience will become more difflcult. Our cwrent second-year students wfll unable to travel to the U.S. under these re5triction5, and so we are actively identifying alternative destinations and developing relationships with universities that can offer slmllar transformatlve opportunltles. It Is a pleasure to Introduce Our MLK)n Educatlon's flnanclal statements for the year ended 31 Decernr 2025. This year has been one of real progress and encouragement for the charity, and one that reflects both the strength of our programme and the extraordinary commitwEnt of our students, staff, trustees, partners and supporters. $t encouraglngly, we Increased student numbers on our Young Leaders Prrarnrne during the year, supwrting 18 first-year and 16 second.year students in 2025. 1 am delighted that every student completed the programme 5cessfUlly, continuing a strong tradition which has been central to Our Mwn's iffpact. While this developnEnt is disappointing, it ha5 not changed our 5en5e of purpose. Our Moon has alway5 responded to complexity with determination and creativity. That spirit will continue as we Wlden our network, strengthen our partnershlps, and ensure our students, ambition5 are not limited by circutn5tance5 beyond their control. Thelr progresslon has been equally Insplrlng. All students were awarded Tnterrship5y in keeping with Our Moon's emphasis on employability profe55ional readlne55 and meanlngful work experIee before and durin£ university. Following thi5, every student progressed to university. except one who chose to gain further professional exFerience before progre5slng. Th55 is exactly the klnd of thoughtful, purp05efui pathway Our M¢y)n exlsts to support. On half of the Board of Trustees, I would ITke to thank everyone who makes this work wsslble: our doTh)rs, partners, volunteers, staff in the UK and Zambia, and above all our students and alurnl, whose reslllence, courage and sense of purpose contlnue to Insplre us. I hope this report give5 a clear picture of the charity's progress during the year, and I would also eroUrage readers to V7sIt our website for a fuller pfcture of Ow Moon's mlsslon, programmes and Impact. These outcomes matter mt only becaLtse they are Impresslve In themselves, bul because tw reflect something deeper about Our Mnon's m1s51on. Our work f5 bullt on the tellef that when talented young le are equipped not simply to cope, imrt to cortribute, the effect extends far beyond the individual to famllies, communities and the wlder future of Zambla. Thank you for being part of thi5 journey. Together. we continue to change one life at a time so that many others may be changed In turn. PICA OLW Mts)n Educatlon, 1165083. 2025- 5

FEELING WELCOME AT TUFTS Davles talks about hls freshman year at Tufts -when I packed my bag5 and left Zambia, I was really nervou5 about what life in a completely new enVironnt would look like. I worrfed aboLrt settling in. navigatin£ everything by myself, and adjusting to a completely different culture. However. Tufts has done an amazing job of maklng these challenge5 manageable. One of the biggest ble55ings from thi5 year has also my roommate, wh) lTh)nestly tecame like a brother to me. We would spend UrS having lon£ late night conversations, helping each other academically whenever we could, and just enjoying college life together WTth friend5, either by playing basketball at the courts or slmply hanglng out after long days of classes. One thing that helped me tremendously was participating in a Tufts pre-orlentatlon program before classes started. Through the program, I met other first year Students who were also adjusting to college life for the first tlme. We were helped wth practical things like setting up bank accounts, getting SIM cards. and learning how to ve around Boston using the ETA. Outslde academlcs, l Jolned clubs, spent tlme playlng chess wlth peers at the Joyce Cumings Center, and gradually built meaningful friendships" We also participated in mary COMMlty-bU7Ldin4 activities, which helped me feel welcomed from the beginning. Even with all thi5 support, I stlll experlenced culture shock and moments where I felt like an imp05ter. Lots of things felt 50 unfamiliar that it seemed like I was starting an entirely new life. Fortunately, Tufts offers mary resource5 for first generation and low incorre students. l enrolled n a transition seminar that introduced us to campus opportunities. faculty support, a1 the Tufts FIRST Resource Center. Through this, I found a community of students with slm?lar backgrounds, and that helped me slowly become more comfortable and confldent. I have made amaztng friends from this. Davie5 Ileftl wlth John 6- Our hknon Edutatlon. 1165083, 2015

I have been lucky to have two host families. The flrst family met rne from the alrport. Their son Joined Tufts at the same as me and Is always there for me when I need local help. My second family* Kim and Doug? adopted me. They live in B05ton, but as Doug is a Dartmouth alumnus, they also host my great friend, John, from Our lknn. As Dartmouth Is only a two trur drlve awa Kim and Doug have given me the chance to rrEet up with hlm one of the best feellngs when tlmes get stressful on campusl Try have made me feel at home away from home by constantly supporting and encouraging me. Even just the other day, they gave fTE the chance to meet a senlor person wtthln a top bank and have introduced me to senior executlves in IT. Academlcally, classes are challenglng, but professors and offke hours provide so much support that the experience fee15 encouraglng rather than Overw{MIng. I have also grown mLh more confident in myself academically over the course of the year. Next Senter. l 11 even be working as a tutor for computer science and calcdu5 at the Tufts StAAR Center Istudent Accessibility and Academic Resources Centerl, which is Mething l am looklng forward to. Finally. l am happy to say that I have felt welcowed to the US by everyo, making me feel better that l am unlikely to travel home for the duration of my degree. My flrst year experlence at Tufts has been exceptional . beyond my expectatiorts. That is rt to Say I have not had struggles, but overall transition ha5 been much srTh)other than l expected. "myfirstUr experience at Tufts has been exceptional - beyond my expectations." Davies Ir l&ion Education, 1165083, 2025 . 7

I. ¢ F)MP ,,IND O on Education, 11650 li

WHAT MOTIVATES US Helen Leale-Green and Justin Mushitu talk about what Our Moon means to them At Our Moon, we are driven by a clear conviction: the future is shaped N)t by how well young people are supported to cope, but by how effertively they are equipped to contribute. We lIeVe that a more stable, equltable world Is bullt through dellberate investment ?n human capability especially where talent exists but pathways do not. When wtential lies th)rmant, the cost is carried by families. communitie5 and eCormieS alike. When it fs nurtured, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. Our work takes place within a challenging national context. Zambia has made significant strides in expanding access to education. yet over 7Ct¥ of its population is under 30, and systemic barriers contlnue to Ilmlt meanlngful opportunltles for young people. Persistent youth unemployment, weak school-to-work transition5, and under-resourced systems mean that many capable, nThrtivated indiwduals remain excluded often Simply due to financial disadvantage. Without targeted, high-quality investment, both Indivtdual potential and national progress remaln constralned. Thls Eelief Is alIsed through our work wlth hlghly rDJtivated young people who are intentionally preparing to play eaningfUL roles In thelr communltles and In the workforce. Try are guided by an exceptional team in Zambia, defined by our eth05 that combines integrity, accourtability and high standar<ts. Together. we foster an environment where growth Is both expected and SUPFK)rted. Our response is the 18.month, full.time Young Leaders Programme. It transforms t1 typically inactive post-school gap into a perlod of structured academic, personal, leadership and professional development. Our f¢xus is on depth, rv)t scale. ensurirvg sustained. measurable growth for each young person we serve. Our Impact extends beyond students to the wlder Mbulo-chipansha community. Local residents are actively employed in t1 constructlon, development and OFtration of our campus, creatlng meanlngful work In a reglon shaped by intergenerational uneryloyment. This approach restores skills, dlgnity and 5elf-re5pect, while enabling students and community rrEmlxr5 to learn aion£slde one arther-SeeIng contribution, responsibillty and progress Ilved out Tn real time. Ojr Moon Education, 1165083, 2015 - 9

The programme integrates four core elements: Exploration of Self, Ethical Leadership and Social Conscience, University and Careers Preparatlon, and EmployabilTty Profe55ional Readiness. all underpinned by a strong research ethos. Together, they cultivate identity, reslliee, ethical decision-making and real-world capability. University access is mt the sole endwint, but a natural outcome of strong, hollstlc development, wlth 5tudent5 SUPPOrted to make inforrrEd, contextually relevant cholces aLx)ut thelr futures. ,IXPLORATION OFSELF 4ND MINDSETCHA ETHICALLEADERSMIP, SOCIALCONSCIENCE . ANDVOWNTEERING Communlty remafjns central to everythTng we do. Our Young Leaders themselves deliver prograrrme5 for local children, Strengthening Ilteracy and numeracy while inspirlng edational aspiration. In parallel. our Value Added Volunteering programme has supported 60 Ial partlclpants to bulld practlcal skllls In areas such as agriculture, construction, maintenance and food production-around half of whom now work th us In ongoing roles. OMMUNITV EMPLOYABILITY A14D PROFES510NAL READINESS VNIVERSITY AND .C4REERS GUIDANCE AND PREPARATION These efforts reflect a slmple bLrt powerful principle". when young people are prepared to contrfbute, and communltles are engaged a5 partners, progress become5 both shared aNI Sustainable. U0 ikllli. pltr ln10tft ¢&tN We remaln committed to investing in capabillty where it matters 5t, and to demonstrating what beconE5 possible when potential 15 given the opportunity to thrive. 04)LD ISSUETHBOUG LI0 JufflN Our Moon Education, 116x183, 2024. 10

BUILDING ACADEMIC CONFIDENCE Agripa talks about his joumay from Our Moon to 8occonl Finding My Voice as a Learner When l joined Our Moon Education, l arrived with ambition but a150 quiet uncertalnty about my academic ability. Comlng from a background with limited resource5, 1 often questioned whether I truly belonged in elite academic spaces. Our Mwn became the envtroNnent where that doubt . wa5 gradually replaced with confidence" confidence not Just In what I knew, tyjt In nry ablllty to learn, questlon and grow. This approach transformed my relationship with academics. from rnemori5ation to understanding> from fear of faTlure to cur105ity. I learred how to ask better andlor constrLKtive questions. thughtfully analyse is5, and approach problems with an open mind. Preparing for Bocconi and Beyond As I prepare to tregin my studies in International Politics and Government t Bocconl Universlty in Italy, I cary wlth me the academic eonfldence Our Mcon nurtured. l am entering a world-class institution mt Tntimidated. but prepared, equipped with discipline, anchored in hard work, resilience, and clarity of purpose. Our Moon dld more than prepare me academically; it affirnEd that students from humble beginnings can thrive globally. Thls confidence is one of the greatest gifts our A4)on has glven me and Learning Through Dialogue Academic confidence at Our Mcon was built through meaningful and . conslstent dlalogue. RIgOro academlc sesslons were structured around . dlscussion rather than passive instruction. and constructive feedback encouraged open exchange of idea5. Through these conver5ation5 - wlth peers and mentors alike - I learned to question assumptions. clarrfy my ' thinking and engage deeply WTth complex cOePts. DIalOgL extended beyond the classroom. Through collaborative disCU55ion5 and peer learning, l enharKed the confiderKe to articulate my ideas clearly and defend my reasoning while listening thoughtfully to alternatfve prSpectives. Serving as Head of Department during the flrst- year programme further strengtherEd this press, as I regularly engaged in academic conversatiorss that required clarity> IrLUsiV7ty and mutual respect. These Interactior transformed learning into a shared process aThJ relnforced my bellef that my Intellect had value and that my volce mattered. "Before statues, we are human" Agripa From Curiosity to Capability Our MoK)n emphasised learning that is grounded in real-world relevance. Through research projects, surveys, and community-based Inltiatlves, I discovered the power of applying theory to practlce. r Moon Education, 1 165083, 2024. 11

MAP OF DESTINATION OF OURALUMNI CANADA.. University of British Columbia USA: Carleton College Northwestern Tufts Vanderbilt UK: University of Edinburgh .-University of Oxford London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Universlty of Cambrldge University of LiverpoolTURKEY: hlersin University FACTS Our students come from nine of the 10 provlnces of Zambia ITALY: Bocconi University They have gone on to study in 13 countries at 35 different unlverslties USA WEST COAST.$ Stanford Univeiylty Un7ver51ty of . California Ferkley Soka Universlty of America INDIA: "I. Ashoka Unlversit LEBANON: i American UriivePs!ty of Beirut They have unlocked scholarshlp5 worth £12m fjHANA: Ashesi Unlverslty ".'. 89% - first generatlon to 80 to universlty In their famflies NORTH AMERICA EAST COAST: . Columbia University RWANDA: University of Rochester African Leadership Swarthmore College Unlversity Georgetown Cornell University Duke University University of Toronto Smith Coll Dartmouth? olle8e KENYA". HONG KONG: USIU-Afnca. Hong Kong Poly Univer51ty MALAYSIA: ".Albukhary International Urtriversity SOLrrHERN AFRICA: University of Zambia Univer51ty of Zimbabwe Copperbelt University 62% - flrst generatlon to complete high school COSTA RICA Earth University Gender balance: 49 female and 46 male students 92% studying STEM 12 - Our Aln EdatIOn, 1165083, 2025

JJ TION87jJ _ Our k'on Educa 2025

CRITICAL PARTNERSHIPS EXPAND OPPORTUNITY At Our Nn Edation, collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to work In partnershlp with Indlvlduais and or8aDisation5 acr055 world wtD Share our commitment to wdening access to educatlon and creatlng meanlngful opportunltles for young people. These relationship5 are not only central to our growth, but a150 to the depth and reach of our Impact. Growing Together: Pestalozzi We are deeply grateful to Pestalozzi for their continued supwrt. Thelr fundlng enabled u5 to expand our facllltles, iludIng buildTng small accommodatlon huts that allow us to welcome more particlpants onto our prograMEs. Our partnership ha5 also extended into training: we were proud to deliver a course for their mertors, supporting their development as educators. In tum, we selected three Pestalozzl students to join our Young Leaders Programme, creating opportunitles for growth, leadershlp, and cr055-cultural exchange. We would Ilke to extend our heartfelt thank5 to all of our partners- yow generosity, expertise, and belief in our mission make everything we do wssible. Each contribution, whether large or small, strengthens our programrres and help5 young people flourf5h. Learning Through Global Networks Our partnership with NALI Acce55 Network has been particularly valuable. As part of this global communlty focused on supwrting students into h?gher education, we benefit from sharing expert15e and learning from organisation5 working in the San space. In 2025, the 9th Annual HALI Conference in Kenya provided the opportunity to reconnect and collatKsrate. Helen. alongside Our Moon alumnl. contrlbuted to pre-departure orientation 5essions-supportlry students as they prepared for their next chapter. In addltion, HALI donated funds to help wlth pre-departure costs for Martln and Mercy, enabllng them to go to university and access the full scFrJiarship they had been gfven. 14- Our Eduralion, 1165083, 1025

Supporting Health and Potential Slmilarly, our partnershlp wlth Ecollnt continues to have lastlng impact. The7r mentorship of our students, particularly in developing research essays, Is Invaluable. The provlslon of ChromebLX)ks has atso made a significant difference-r#)t only sUPIK)rting our Students, but also our staff and Ial chlldren in the wllage. Our collaboration with Baraka dennStrate5 the breadth of what partnershlp can achleve. Through thelr supty)rt. doctors vfslted our community for a dedicated outreach day-diagn05ingi testingy and providing glasses and eentIal equipment where needed. This had a profound and immediate impact. We were also delighted to select two Baraka st¢Jdents for our Young Leaders Programme, further strengthening th15 meaningful connectlon. At the Heart of It All To all our thnors - those who th)nate flnancially and those WFKJ donate In klnd or through pro t&)no supwt: you are the beatlng heart of Our Moon EdlatiOn. Your belief in our mission enables everything we do. Because of you, we - and the young people we serve - an grow, thrive. and dream blgger. Community at the Heart: Zambia Our work in Zambia would not be possible without the extraordinary support of local communlties. We would like to thank Chief Liteta of the LenSe Ftople and the Headmen of Mbulo.Chipansha Village for welcoming us so warmly. We are equally grateful to the villagers who have contributed labour and to the local children whose enthusiasm brings our classrooms to life. To our team in Zambla. led by Justin Mu5hltu. our Country Director and Co-Founder, your dedication to providing a rigoro and challenging experien for our students. while surrounding them with a safe space to make mlstakes and discover dnelves. It Is truly a unique chance tW will have in their live5. We also extend slncere thanks to the Zambla Hlth Commlsslon, who generously allowed u5 to use their beautiful spa for our 2025 Christmas and Carols fundraiser-an event that broht our communlty tOgetr in celebration and sUPPOrt. And finally. thank YDU to our amazing students . first and second year5. IlUding our interns, and to our alumni you constantly inspire us with your dedicatlon, intellect and courage shroud TrUr individual drive in kindness. consideratlon for your families and communitie5. Education Without Borders We are Incredlbiy thankful to the unfversltles we partner wfth across the world. By provFding full scholarship5 and 5UPPOrting our students academically, emotionally. and socially. they transfomi futures and open dwr5 that would otherwise remain closed. "Tosether, we are buildins something truly meaninsfvl. Thank you for being part of our journey" Helen Our M¢x)n Educatlon, 1165083, 2025- 15

SE Our Iltson Edu¢at5on, 1165083, 2025- 16

OUR PEOPLE Our Moon EducaOn Is ¥un by the Board of Trustees ln the UK, chalred by and supported by the CEO in the UK, t121£L and Country i)irector in Zambla, Justin Mushitu. Chanda 51 0h&S supported Our Moon from the start. Helen and Chanda have known each other for 12 years as Chanda was a student at Pestaloai. He has an undergraduate degree from Bucknell University in the US, a Msc in Ciwl En8ineerirB frcffl Leed5 Univer5Tty and an Ma5terfs n Publft Pollcy from the Unlverslty of Oxford. He works for B1Mberg In the UK and, untll recentlyj ' for the World Bank. In1 fjs an experfenced Sus1[7bIe Infrastructhre and capltal mad(ets professional with over 20 years of expertise in sustainable Investing and sustsinable finance. She specializes in climate transitIc and sustainable infrastructure financing acros5 emerging and developed markets. Passlonate about Africa, She 15 also dedfjcated to teachfjng chlldren and young adults about flnanclal Iltefacy, empowering the next generation vrith essential financial skills. Htrien worked for PWC before becomlng a Trustee of Pestaloth Intematlonal ln the UK. She founded Our Moon with the swjport of Justin, then one of her students. She has an MA In Educatlon and Intemational Development from UCL and 15 member of HALI Acces5 Netwo. Dhruv Sarda discovered Our IAoon on Linkedln when he realtsed we had a mutual connection. Havlng grown up In Zambla and worked there for PWC before comlng to do an MBA at the University of Cambridge. He 15 a Managing Director at Alvarez and Mar5al. He 15 passlonate about helplng . Zambla's Yn£ people. rlshan Tallor wa5 bom In Ndola, Zambla, where he completed hlg secondary educatfon. He then pursued a degree in Agricultural Business Economic5 Wl the United Kingdom and the United State5. Krf5han 15 dedfjcated to glving back to hf5 community and country of birth, and has ttlentified Our Moon as an exceLlent platfoim to achieve this goal. He is passionate about education and beLieve5 that developin8 informed and educated citizenry 15 essential for the self- fulfflment and progre55 of the natlon. 'ch works In Mergers and AcquisItic$ at London and has been supporting Our Moon since Z019. Rlch passionate about economfc development and belleves education is a key factor for stimulating growth. spec?alist in strategic cornrnunicaticS that drive 5UStainable growth and foster econornfjc development. With experiewKe in reputatlon management, public affaiys, and ESG across the UK, Europe, anij Africa, Kim Is passionate about creating Trnclusive narratives and ' partnership5 that enable businesses to thrive. A5 a trustee of Our Moon, she 15 committed to empowering young Zambian5 thrOh educatlon and opportunity. Kim resigned in early 2026 due to other work commitments we are very grateful for her involvement with Our Mo¢J) and wish her well. Alan Leale-Green ts one of the Inaugural ttee5 and is Treasurer. He is a qualifled accountant and has retired frn the buslness he set up in compliance. Vanessa Straus5 15 from South Africa and ha5 been trustee 5Tnce 2019. She run5 a lettTng agency fn TuThbdge We115. She and her partner are involved in a weekly reading class Our th)onts students. She hopes to Visit Our Moon and meet them In Our Mthjn Edueatlon, 1165083, 1025- 17

THE ZAMBIAN TEAM Country thrector and Co-Founder, Ju5tine BuchTzya Mushitu, lead5 our Zambia team. Justin studied in both the UK and Canada before returning home to contiwe his mission to establish Our Moon. He is passionate about educatlon and layin8 the foundations and creatin8 OPPOrtun?ties for young people in ZambH. He has developed Jr curriculum on "Identity and Expre5sion-, to help Zambian5 develop the mlnd5et change needed for Zarnbla to develop, whfie under5tanthng the strengths of befng Afrtcan. Ntasuwiia Nambao has a degree in Agroncffly from a Chinese university. She is a fluent Mandarin speaker, love5 working on the land and readin8 good literabjre. She ha5 W0ed a5 a private tutor "I thought impact was mainly aboui numbe Jt now I reallse that by ffjmpacttng a few In a posftlve and Ilfe-changfng way, the rfppLe effect can be enormous". Malama Mushitu is our Photographer and Programme5 Officer. .1 am passionate about living- about existing. For me, Iffe 15 confu5ingJ e5peclally now that I'm more aware that what's rfght Matte more than what's Just good. That pags1on for life helps me stay grounded whlle taking on dffferent responsiblliiies as I experience li*ing. Being a useful team player at Our Moon is part of that li¥ingness package for me, because I believe no real change happens wthout truly living and responding to reality as honestly as possible. The team ts ably asslsted by a team of employees, volunteers and general workers. Our key members of staff for 2024 were.. The Zamblan team ts responsible for DeVeloPir and deliverin8 our currfcuium and programmes Lookin8 after safeguardin8 and security Supervfsfng and bulldlng tyjr ConstrtIon projects Plantlng and mafnLainlng cyjr Land mandng all staff, workers and complyh)g ail HR requfrements Davina Zulu.. prosramme support Jatquellne Kajoba: admfnlstratfon Emeldah Muiela: klichen aThJ cleanlng Mirrtam Chiluba: kitchen and cleaning Sunday Mug¢xle'. building and landscaping Willard Shamwinda.. builder5 help Lubaba Chivumo.. night security and anirnal care Daugla5 Chfjlupula.. nfght 5ecurityand animal care Fred Bwalya: anfmal care and Landscaplng 18- Our knn EducaOn. 1165083. 2025

TRUSTEES ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT Governance and Compllance The Board of Trustees is pleased to present its report and fInala1 5taterrents of charity for the fiscal year ended 31 Decemkr 2025. The trustees have adopted t provision5 of the Statement of Recommended Practlce ISORPI "Accountin8 and Reporting by Charities" in preparlng the annual report of the charlty. The following pryle served as trustees ding 2025: RTchard Bowen (Chalrl Funmi Akinluyi Alan Leale-Green Helen Leale.Green Klm Poiley Dhruv Sarda14ppointed 27 January 20251 Chanda Singoyi Vanessa Strauss Krishan Tailor lappointed 28 January 20251 fInala1 staterrEnts have been prepared In I1 wlth the accounting policies set out in the accompanying notes and comply fully with the charity's governing drKument, the Charitles Act 2011, and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in UK and Republic of Ireland, as outITned in the Charttie5 SORP Ioctober 20191. BANKERS Barclays Bank plc Calverley Rd Tunbridge We115 Kent TN12TB Our Moon Education is registered by the Charity Commlsslon for England and Wales, reglstered nuthr 1165083. Our registered office is at The Coach House, Hurstwood La, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8YA. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Ryan Evans FCA Cadence Accounting Limited Jlte 3, 157 Station Road East. Oxted, RH8 OQE Our Mo)n Education, 1165083, 2025. 19

OVERVIEW At Our hloon Educatlon, we take great prfde In the breadth and depth of our impact-what continLs to inspire us most is not only t progress of our students, but the way thls extends Into wtder communlty. Through our work, local young people are equipped with employability skills and training, while our studerts actively give back by teachTrng and 5UPFKJrting children in the village. both those who attend school and those who do mt. Against this backdrop of meaningful, community-ied engagement, organisatlon has a150 shown strong resilience in a complex global environment. Despite ongoing UK cost of liwng pressure5 and wider economic challenges In Zambia. we are proud to report tx)sitive progress in income generatw)n and careful stewardship of resources. Thts has enabled mt only to sustaln our work, but to continue growing our support for young people tFElr corrffiunitie5. IQ6 IV42 r. Income and Fundraising Total income for the year increased to £139,391 12024: £114,566I. representlng strong growth of 22%. This reflects the continued 5trengtheDing of relation5hlp5 Wlth trusts, foundation5 and other corForates. SLKcess of our programme, and the expansion of our (bnor community. Managing Economic Conditions Given Zambia's ongoing debt restructuring and the associated Inflatlonary pressures and currency volatilityi partlcularly toward5 the end of the year. the trustee5 adopted a prudent approach to flnarKial management. CUrreY risk was partially hedged to provide stability. While this strategy may limit p)tential gain5 in favourable conditiorts. it supports flnancial predictablllty and responsible stewardship. A partlcular hlghllght was the successful cocktall event hosted at the Zambia High Commission in LorKlon, held during the 8ig Give Christmas Challenge week, whlch helped ra15e both funds and awarene55 of our work. Programme Delivery Our Young Leaders Programme remains central to our mlssion. During 2025. we invested £104.556 12024: £76.5481, suppM)rting 18 first year students and 16 second years. The average investment per partfclpant decreased to £3,075 12024: £3.1891, reflecting economies of scale. In additlon, wlthin these costs, contlnue to provlde our Value-Added Volunteering to 30 local people wishing to gain skllls. giving them vital tralnlng and financlal supwt to Improve thelr longer-term employability. Our Young Leaders a150 worked with around 50 IcKal children to Improve literacy, numeracy and commitment to schc¥)l. Our alumni contlnue to stay involved. Expenditure and Investment Total expendlture during the year amounted to £136,916 12024: t112.072I, including depreciation. In addition. £28.911 12024: 3,784Tr was Invested In flxed assets, prfmarlly to support the contlnued developrrent of the Learning Forum. which will strengthen our long-term edatIonal infrastructure aTrd addltional small Me$ used for accomn¥Jdation. 20- Thjr Moon Educatlon, 1165083. 2025

Operational Efficiency Administrative costs in the UK remained low at £3,70712024: £6,230). representlng Just 2.7% of total expendlture. Thls reflects our ongolng focu5 on cost efficiency and ensuring that the vast majority of funds are directed towards charitable activities. The reduction compared to the previou5 year is primarily due to one-off trtee recruitment COStS Incurred in 2024. The tru5tee5 agreed the accounts on 18 March 2026, subject to approval by the external accountants. Alan Leale-Green Treasurer and Trstee Reserves At the year end, unrestrlcted fund5 StLK)d at £12,253 12024: £8,796) a1 restricted funds at £1,3(X) 12024; £22,381). Restricted fund5 Tnclude amounts designated for specific programme commltn*nts, Tncluding the building programme. The trustees aim to maintain reserves equivalent to approximately three months of programme and operating costs. While this remains a challengTrE target in current enviroDrrEnt, it continues to guide our financial planning. Based on 2025 expenditure levels, reserves at year.end were sufficient to cover just over three months of actitY. The trustees are therefore satisfied that the charity remains a going corKern with material ertaintleS identified. Looking Ahead We are optimistic about the future, de5Plte the challenges cited. We have set out strong foursdations and are moving ahead cautiously with expanding acce55 to our programme5 and to building on our siKcesse5 to date. "What continues to inspire me about Our Moon is its commitment not only to twr Young Leaders, but to the wider community in which Our Moon exists" Alan Leale-Green Our Moon ECatiOn, 1165083, 2025- 21

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE TRUSTEES OF OUR MOON EDUCATION I rert on the accounts of the Trust Icharity No. 11650831 for the year ended 31 December 2025. Independent Examiner's Statement Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner In conrection with my examination, rni materlai matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that In. any materTal respect: the accounting records were not kept In accordance wlth section 130 of the Charitles Act," or the accounts did not COrd with the accounting records. or the countS did not comply wlth the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set up in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts gfve a true and fairf view whlch Is not a matter consldered as part of an Independent examination. The charitys trustees are responsible for the preparation of the account5. The charlty'5 tru5tee5 con51der that an audfjt 15 IK)t requlred for this year der sectlon 144 of the Charitles Act 2011 Ithe Charftles Act) and that an Independent exarnination is needed. It 15 my reswjnsibility to: examlne accounts under sectlon 145 of the Charlties Act. to follow the procedure5 laid down in the general Dlrectlon5 given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Charfties Act- and to state wher particular matter5 have come to my attentlon. I have come across no other matters In connection with the examTnation to which attentlon strK)uld be drawn in th15 report ill order to enable a proper understandiro of the accounts to be reacd. Basis of Independent Examiner's Report My examinatlon was carried Olrt in accordance with the general Dlrectlons glven by the Charlty Commfsslon. An examlnatlon InclLtdes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wth t1 record5. It also include5 consideration of any unusual iterrts or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanatlons from the trustees concerning any such matters. Date: Ryan Evans FCA Independent Examiner Cadence Accounting Limited, Suite 3, 157 Station Road East, Oxted, RH8 IME. Signature: The procedures undertaken do not provtde all the evldence that would required in an audit and consequently Tr) opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a true and fair viev/ and the reFQrt 15 Ilmlted to tse matters set out In the Statent below. 22- Our MrTr Ecbution. 1165083, 2025

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Unrestrlcted fund5 2025 Ile5trl£ted fund5 2025. Flxed asset fvnd$ 2025 Total funts 2015 Total fund5 2024 Note Incme from donatlons 1.1, 3.1. 59,IC 1. 60,650 19.349 139.099 114,335 Investment Inccm• 292 291 231 TOTAL INCOME 59,392 60,650 19,349 139,391 114,566 Exp•ndltur• on ralslni fund5 ExpdItUre tharftable actfvltle5 Expendlture on support costs Depredatlon on flxed assets 2.2, 3.2 3.309 3.31YI 3.264 2.2, 3.2 104,556 104.556 76,549 2.2, 3.2 3.707 3.707 6,230 2.3. 4.1 25.344 25,344 26,029 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 7.016 104.556 25.344 136.916 112,072 Net mov¢ment In fund5 52,376 43,9Q6 -5,995 2,475 2.494 Totsl fund5 brou8h¢fwward 8.796 22,381 57,973 89,150 86.656 Fund transfers 48.919 22,825 26,094 Totsl fund5 ¢irrled forward 12,Z53 1.300 78,07Z 91,625 89.150 Our knon Educadon, 1165083, 2025 - 23

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025 2025 2024 Notè Flxed A55e15 T•Ible fixed assets 4.1 78,072 57.973 TOTAL FEXED ASSErs 78,072 57,973 CurrentSsets Debtors and •¢trL*d Income 11.558 f4,056 1 C45h at b•nk and In hand 10 22,974 26,892 TOTALCURRENT ASSETS 34,532 40,948 Current Liabiliti Creditors: amounts fallln8 due wlthln one 20.979 9.r11 NET CURRENT ASSE15 13.553 31,1n TOTALASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 91,625 89.150 Represented by Income FThd$ Unre5trtcted funds 12,253 1,300 8,796 22,381 RestActed funds Total Income Fund5 13,553 31,t77 Flxed A55ets Fund5 78.072 57,973 TOTAL FUNDS 91.625 89,150 24- l>Jr Moon Educationi 1165083. 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS NOTE 1." BASIS OF PREPARATION 1.1 BASIS OF ACCOUNTING NOTE 2: INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 2.1 INCOME These accounts have been prepared under the htstorfeal cost conventbn wfth ftems recognfsed at C09t or transactfon value unless otheThYfse stated th the relevant notelsl to these accounts. Recognliion of Income: thts ts Included In the Statement of Frfnantlal Aetlvltfe5 15oFAI when the charfty becomes entitled to the resourtes, when It 19 more Ifkely than not that the trustees will recepve the resource5 and when the monetsry value can be measured with enough reliabllity. They have been prepared in accordance with the acColing policies set out in Note 2 to the accounts. They comply with the charlty's constilutlon, the Aecounting arKI Reporting by Charttles: Statement of RecommerKled PraCce ISORPI applfjcable to charttles preparfng thefr acc(4Jnts In accordance wlth the Flnancial Reporting Standard IFRSI applicable in the UK and Republk of Ireland IFRS 102, Issued on 16 July 20141, FRS 102 and with the Charities Act 2011. There ha5 been no offsetting of a55ets and liabilitie5, or income and eypenses, nle5s requlred or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102. Grants and donations are only included In the SOFA when the general Income recogn1tic criteria are met15.10 to 5.12 FRS102 SORPI. Notes to the accounts have only been prcduced when relevant to the accounts of Our Moon Education. t4ote number5 have been PrOdd in accordanee with tht Charfty Commfsslon's fomi CC17a. There are no te8acies within this accnting periDJ. charfjty ha5 not received sovernment grants in the reportlny period. The charity constltutes a publlc benefit entlty as defTned by FRS 102. Glft Ald recefvabie Is included fn Income when there Is a valld declaratfon from the doTh)r. Any Gift Ald amount recovered on a dOnatiC Is part of that gift and is treated as an additK)n to the same fund as the initial dati¢ Unle the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise. The charity was entitled to exemption from audit under sectic 476 and 477 of the Companie5 Act 2006 relating to small companie5. The trustee5 acknowledge their re5pon5ibilities for complying with the requirements of the Cornpanie5 Act with respect to accounting recor& and the prepardtfon of acciyjnts. The actounts present a true and falr vfew no changes have been made to the accounting FX)Ilcles or estlmates th fn repordng pertod. There have been no prtor year adjustments. 2.2 EXPENDITURE AND UABILITIES Llabilities are CognISed where tt is more Ilkely than not that there 15 a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay cwt resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured th reasonable certainty. Support costs have been allocated between govemaKe costs and other supwrt. Governance costs comprise all costs Involvfng publfjc accountablllty of the charfty and Its complIae th reguiatton and gwd practlce. Fund balances carrted forward include assets and liabillti?5 denominated in Zambian kwacha converted at the rate when the currency wa5 bought. There were no materfal dfffences at the year end. Our Moon Educatlon, 1165083, 1025 - 25

2.3 ASSErs NOTE 3: INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 3.1 INCOME ANALYSIS FreeId land is not depreciated. Depreciation on other Items of property, furnlture and flttlngs are calculated using the 5traight-line etd to allocate thelr depreciable amunts over thelr estimated useful lives as follow5: Llnrestrkted fund5 Re5tr1ct¢d funds Total funds 2025 Totsl funds Bthldln IT Furnlture and Flttlngs Off?ce Equipment 5 years 2yea 5 year5 2 years Donatlons. yants thnd

its

59,1LIJ 79,999 139,9 115,098 Investment Ineame 292 Z92 231 TOTAL INCOME 59,392 79,999 139,391 115,329 The resldual value5 estlmated useful Ilves aTh4 depreciation method of property, plant and equipment are revlewed, aTrJ adjusted a5 appropriate, at each balance sheet date. The effects of any revision are recognised in profit or loss wn the changes arise. There Is money in futwe budgets allocated for MaIntenan of the assets. Included in dolla0$. ants and 8lfts aboN* arn: Trusts and foundadons 1.00) 5.2D) 6.200 8,027 19.497 30,176 Caffi 1 51GlobalGlvln 027 18,997 orate Events R ulaf doTh•r5 Pest•lgzzi Other don4Uorss Grft Aid There are no Investments other than a detM)Sit account at Barclays Bank In the UK. 17,956 67.Z74 2,5(h) 22,536 22,329 57,274 48 Debtors lincluding trade debt0 and loan5 receTvablel are measured on initial recognltion at Settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other conslderatlon expected to be recelved. TOTAL INCOME 59.1¢J) 79,999 139.099 115,098 26- OUT Moon Education, 1165083. 2025

2 CHARITABLE AcfiviTIES EXPENDITURE ANALYSIS threcr C05t of FLDJraW Lireraiwe & or5 553 5%1 Bank Char8ES Fee 141 527 7,016 23,762 5,015 347 5,015 347 1,912 1,843 1,912 InteThipS 1.516 1,581 t electncty 629 Chlltr£n'sPrmM ffwintenar 2.8J7 Z,837 IlJ5C. 59,353 DEPRECIATICII DE11th1 FtsrntturÈ& FlitINs Deweciathin. ONKeE4Tdr ,036 129.900 119.9 cos cd tharfiat4e irt ln tted ftTh¥, tArt that hty bt Our Mcon Educatlon, 1165083, 2025- 27

NOTE 4: FIXED ASSErs 4. 1 ANALYSIS OF FIXED AssErs 4. 2 DrrAILED ANALYSIS OF LAND AND BUILDINGS 1025 2024 Quantty 4.4 hectares Motor Vehlcies C05l of Motor Vehl¢le Depreciation 14et Value LAND Indudln6fendnBand rfe¢ds BLIIIDJNfjS WtsTket5 horneslburntbrlcks phstqred, th roDhnE sheets stra dLWSWYth lock5 studentarcornma1sQft(0ts Ibreeze OEk5.4as¢ered In%de, 5tonechd oUrde, thtCd r¢hif5. alyrnlnlurn WlDdowsalS¥ds Sto1 thorSarA IDiksl tchn IbrthiÈbltsk5, ftstsfihgshEts, stOlUe roomwth #Alldooi and ILKtsI St4raBe bulldln8 Ibreeze bWs. roonnl 5heet% 2 lockser0$. l OUldoDr hxkabl space) Tank Kand withsTVWÈ 14481 15.706 99B 14.708 16.532 16,532 IY.733 Land walls & fen¢e5 De reclati Net Value 14.482 14,482 10,54B 25.310 8ulldlng$ (see bglowl Cost ol Bulldln reciati Net Value 155,644 128,989 FLtrnlture & Flttln C05t of Furniture & Flttfnlls reciation Net Value 7,106 4.106 4,554 3.425 OffkE Ibrtetrbk<l4aumirJium window¥ Xkab dooil nin8bulldSnB 1wk1eioorn. 3b ldIre vlnd¢ws. l ld58000r. roDfin85heet5 bJlarKedan pule51 Awuyon btq¢k5lbr8thblttk, roDfinBsheets 3,100 C05t of IT E ui De reclaiion Net Value mènt 4,283 4.283 5.812 138 467 Offlce E ul ment Cost ol Offlce E ul reciati Net Value g,Bga ment 9B2 737 245 1,037 475 SolarSVStÈnl-de£trityaTrd Shelter-bTeetr block.wlth thatch*J roof. paveofiooi fyJestth41etltsreeze bknck,rwfed. urninTrurn window5 door) LEarningfowm- fDurtIOn0n Pavin8 ollntern41 wes TOTAt81111tyN65 27.231 Total C05t Total De recla¢lon Total Net Value 19B,733 120 661 169,822 111,849 Varknus 155,544 170,116 TOTAiW4DANOWILDIt4fy5 28 - Out Educatlcn. 1165083. 20Z5

NOTE 5: OTHER FEES 6.2 AVERAGE HEADCOUNT OF PERMANEKr STAFF IN A YEAR NOTE 9: CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS 2025 20Z4 lrnounts falling due within one year knount5 falll due after more than one year Z015 Z024 InhDuse staff Independent examfners. fees io 2025 2024 2025 2024 Cneral workers 23 Our accounts were independently reviewed by Ryan Evan5 of Cadence Accountin8 Lirnited, Chartered Accountants. Legal wort( 15 Cared out by Morgan Lewi5 and B¢xldu5 LLP, on a prD b0 ba5. TOTAL AVERAGE FEts[jNT 30 We enyloy a number of )n-use staff and general wcers. They work under separate contracts that, under local Zambian law5, require to contrftxrte to a g¢)verntnent peDslon Sche$ deduct tk workeTS' COntrfttts}5 and forward both contAbu¥ons to the Zamtsan National Pension Scheme Auth(tY IAP5A") and also to the National Health Insurante lknnagetDÈnt I'NHM4°1- kcruals and deferred INome 6,551 5,628 Credit Card balancè 1,664 NOTE 6: PAID EMPLOYEES 6. 1 STAFF COSTS IZAMBIA) 2025 edltors 12,764 3,235 2024 NOTE 7: PENSION SCHEME The amount of £3,972 half by Our Moon half from deductions from salae5. wa5 pald to the Zambian Pen5iOti Authority the year. TOTAL CREDoR5 20,979 9.771 Salarfe5 and wage5 30,333 26,661 NOTE 8: DEBTORS AND REPAYMENTS NOTE 10: CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND Pen510n costs 2,113 1,986 2025 2024 2025 2024 National Insurance 495 367 Forward Forelgn Exchange Deposlts 1,250 Cash at bank and In hand 22.974 26.892 Health Care 320 Technology Ilnyjrnrtel Pakl In Advance, 400 Other staff costs 1,Z39 225 Refvnd due on cost of an event 702 NOTE 11." TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES AND RELATED PARTIES: TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS TOTAL SALARY cosrs 34.500 Z9,827 Inwran 557 AcCd Gift Aid due 1,453 None of the UK trustee5 have been pald any remuneration or received any other benefits from employment with the charity or retated entity. In her role a5 CEO, Helen Leaie-Green Is reirnbur5ed for her flTBhts and expen5e5 She incur5 when worknng in Zambla. 1,147 Other Debtors 9,854 10,251 TOTAL DEBTORS 11,55B 14,056 l)Jr Moon Eduution, 1165N3, 2025 - 29

1,11001:, ,, 4 SECT-ION'5:: WKg Educati

THANKS TO EVERYONE AND ALL ORGANISATIONS...... We would like to thank all our supwrters Includlng the Trusts, Foundations and Companies who have generously supported us over the past year, our frlends and donors, and companfes both local arKI far w) donated tr) our auction and raffle prizes. In Zambla, we are very grateful to the Headmen of Chipansha Vlllage for their support of our project and Chlef Lfteta of Lenje people of Chit*)mbo Dlstrict. We are also thankful to our amazlng, dedlcated, hardworklng and courageous team in Zambla light the path5 of many young people. We would Ilke to thank those people at the Mlnlstry of Community DevelOpEnt aTrJ the Department for Social Welfare In Chibombo. In the UK, the Zambla Hlgh Comm1551on allowed u5 to use thelr beautiful receptlon room. We would especlally Ilke to thank Her ExceLlery1 Macenje Mazoka (pictured right, centrel, for her warm welcome speech and k7nd worth. "Our Moon nurtures leadership, confidence, and a deep sense of self and purpose" Bupe Lughano Kabaghe (intern - right) We would Ilke to thank all our trustees for thelr tlme spent In the developrrtnt of Our Moon. Ow Moon Education, 1165083, 2025. 31

. FOR YOUR DONATIONS, TIME...... We have not attempted to put a value on any volunteer arKI pro bono tTme but recognise its vital importance to us and the success of Our Moon and our program$. lknny others are also Tnvolved. and we thank everyone for thelr tlme, Input, s4)pDrt and enthuslasm. Spec1al thank5 90 to: The HALI Access Network for all the sUPWrt offered to Our McKJn and other MeMr organisations across Africa, irlding the provision of pre-departure grants to two of our students. Psychotherapy and counselling supwrt for our students and alumni by Ally k and Fungal Muryeza. The Sarda family for donating money to provide a stipend to our Stnts studytng at Ashoka University in IlIa. Frfend5, famTly and alumni who 5UPtKIrt our work and event5. Keith Browr¢e and teachers from Ecolint Ilnternational Sch1 of Geneval In SwitzerlaThJ, tutored our students through thelr research essays J and for their generous (%Jnation of ChrorDebooks for our programmes. Baraka Communlty PartrShIpS for brlnging doctors to our communlty for a day to provide rypdlcal and eye examinatiors for 150 people. Damlni Kumar for provlding online maths tutoring for our students in preparation both for the SAT and to prepare them for unlversity math5. Thomas Lrfuti, alumnus (Class of 2018.191 and IT manager, for glvlng 50 much of hi5 to furtherlng our IT development. Will slivan for his ongoing support, for establishirg the 501 Icll3I. a regfstered non-proflt In the US, and fundrafslng help to Our Moon, and his family who have made gerOL donations. Vanessa Strauss and Danlel Potor for reading with our students each and for donatlng nneY towards the students. graduatlon outflts. "Thank you for the extraordinary support you give," your contribution shapes our students, futures and enables everythins we do-. Helen Leale-Green hlorgan Lewis & Bockius LLP for pro legal support, especially In helping us set up our 501 Ic1131. Patrick Glass and Webster Mhango for help with marf(ing selection essays. 32- Our Moon Educatlon, 1165083, 2025

AND IN-KIND BENEFITS Trusts and Foundations John Collings Educational Trust The Mageni Trust The Souter Charitable Trust Book Aid Corporate Giving and In-Kind Donations COLLEGEBOARD donated SAT vouchers and CSS profile codes value around £1000 DUOLINGO donated free English tests for our students at the beginning and end of our programme approxirnate value £720 Prizes for our Events: SECRET CELLAR - bottles of wine BORA STUDIO - voucher for pilates or osteopathy Appointment THE LEALE-GREEN FAMILY - Christmas hamper and assorted raffle prize5 THE CHAPEL HAIR SALON voucher for cut and blow dry VANESSA STRAUSS - caddy of clean7ng products LGT VESTRA LLP donated £2000 MENKING TUTORING donated SAT training worth approximately $15001£1200l per student GOOGLE donated Google Workspace licenses at an approximate value of £600 - increasing annually MICROSOFT donated unlimited licenses of offi 365 for all staff and Our Moon's benefiaaries. Approximate value during 2020 £1200 PRIZES TOTALLED APPROXIMATELY £1000 Other donations have been very gratefully received from individuals, including donations for raffle prizes, second-hand clothing and accessories for our students and alumni BLACKROCK and BANK OF AMERICA for their match funding programmes PESTALOZZI for their donation5 to our programmes Ojr lknn Edlthon. 1t65t*3, 2025 . 33

WE INVITE YOU TO SUPPORT US We are always in need of funds to support our work. Right rtow, we are fundraising for three main projects. Please feel free to support U5 - however large or small your donation 15, we value every single one of them. Completing our Learning Forum Sponsoring a Young Leader Launching our Superspace and Agricultural Programme We have recelved generous f]dIng for the bulldlng of our leaming Forum, our quadrant bullding that will Provide classrooms, computer room and library for our students, locals and other group5 wham we will Inte for Short bcotcamps. In 20Z5, we Launched our sUpepace Prosramme. If you would Ilke to be at the beg6nnir7g of a new phase of our deyeiopment, we would be delIghd to talk to you. Whlle the maln part of the bultdlng Is progressing well, we need funding for the side wlngs which will PrOde study spaces for small group work and quiet study. It costs U5 E10 to make four blocks. E15 to make the small window frame5 and £40 to make steel dc¥)r. The Superspace is a place where children and yo8 people from the local vfllage in hlbulo-Chipan5ha come to Leam our Identfty and Express1on programme. Linked with the local community Is our agritultural project for which we are looking for partners. The project would combine food production for Our MDJn's residential programmes as well as provide training irb modem farrnin¥ techniques to local farnier5. Please contact U5 for more details Our flagship Young Leadets Programme needs regular funding. We would love you to consider sponsorin8 a student but we also need help funding some of the 5maLler items on the pro8ramme'. Full cost per student £5000 over 18 months Direct cost per student £2200 Food cost per month Cfl) Intemsh?p Cloth £50 Pas5POrt cost per student £40 Intemet costs per Month E25 Transport costs per student per month £10 34- Iljr Moon Edurjtion, 1165083. 2025

coKrACT DETAILS Helen Leale-Green Helen.leale-green@ourmoon.org.uk +441017720 287904 Justin Mushfjtu Justin.rnushitu ourmoon.orgwk +260 97 2221856 SOCIALS 113A ourmooneducaUon ourfnooneducation .ournN)on.org.uk TO DONATE We are members of the followin8 organisations: FUNDRAISING REGULATOR INTERNATIONAL ACAC c(e9S elvrt) Photo credits: Malama Mushitu Maxwell Kabwe Ireen Ngango EDUCATION Our knn Education, 1165083, 2025 - 35

,¥J PORT AN ou MOON on.org.uk I helen.leakn[een@ourrtwn Registered Charit{Numb¢r: rg. uk 1444 720 2879 EDUCATION

CJ 3 li il SIN3tr131VISIVI)NVNla QNV3)NVN113AO? aid03d :tr NOII?3S

2025-12-31-accounts

CONTACT INFORMATION

UK

Trustees

Address

ZAMBIA

Trustees

Address

CONTACT DETAILS

Helen Leale-Green

Justin Mushitu

SOCIALS

PHOTO CREDIT

PROLOGUE BY JOSHUA, STUDENT EDITOR Joshua: Class of 2025-26 - a charismatic feminist with a strong desire to improve the lives of the underprivileged everywhere.

A NEW VERSION OF HOME

When you ask me about a place I call home!

MAPPING OUR MOON’S MILESTONES

MAPPING OUR MOON’S MILESTONES

KEY STATISTICS

YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAMME

SUPERSPACE

MAP OF DESTINATION OF YOUNG LEADERS

CONTRIBUTING TO EACH OTHER’S GROWTH

FROM SILENCE TO SELF-EXPRESSION

The confines of traditions

The authentic version of me

The cost of silence

New ways of learning

YOUNG, UNSURE AND FIGURING THINGS OUT

FROM BAREFEET TO SHINY SHOES

Agripa - Class of 2025-26, off to Bocconi University in Milan; determined to make his mark in Zambian politics

FROM CHICAGO’S SOIL TO ZAMBIA’S FUTURE

Steven - Class of 2023-24 and currently studying at NorthWestern University in Chicago; a committed environmentalist., determined to bring his learning back to Zambia

WHY I AM INSPIRED TO STUDY BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

PARTNERSHIPS IN EDUCATION

BUILDING BRIDGES BY SHARING CONNECTIONS

PROTECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENT

GIVING HOPE TO REFUGEES

Komani, Naomi and Lute Class of 2020-21 and Ireen Class of 2025-26 - with a heart for helping the underprivileged

STAYING LOYAL TO OUR MOON OVER THE YEARS

Thomas - Class of 2018-19 - Studied for a Computer Science and Mathematics Major, and several minors at Ashoka University while working and exploring India

FINDING SUCCESS THROUGH DIFFERENT PATHWAYS Gift - Intern 2025 - tells her story of being open to trying out diverse opportunities

AFRAID TO DREAM

Brenda - Class of 2024-25 - off to study Engineering at American University of Beirut

My community

The possibilities I discovered

The change I am committed to

RISING FROM MY ROOTS

I’M NOT BLACK, I’M AFRICAN

Watson Mushimbei - Class of 2019

BEING PART OF SOMETHING MUCH LARGER THAN US

Vanessa Strauss - Trustee; Daniel Potor - Volunteer - their passion for Our Moon shines through their dealings with the students

THE POSSIBILITY OF MORE

“ Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achiev e . ”Napoleon Hill

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Doug and Kim - Host family and donor - talk about how hosting Davies and John has brought new meaning to their lives

LETTING IN THE LIGHT

The corporate lens: Growth at PWC

My transition at Pioneer Academic

Continuing the journey

WITNESSING TRANSFORMED LIVES

OUR MOON: HELPING ME CREATE IMPACT Mutinta - Class of 2024-25 - Studying at African Leadership University in Rwanda

Climate action hub: My journey at the ALU

Reflection on growth and direction

The road ahead

JOURNEY OF CHANGE

Caren - Class of 2026-27 - Advocate for girls’ and women’s rights

Youth Education and Community Development

LONGER-TERM IMPACT

Where it all begun

We live because of help, and to help back

Building for the future

IMPACT THROUGH LOVE, CONSISTENCY AND ACTION Damaris - Class of 2021-22 - Studying Agronomy Engineering at Earth University in Costa Rica

HELPING STUDENTS SETTLE INTO THEIR NEW LIVES Andrea Lowe - Passionate volunteer and donor, working with students headed to the US, providing bedding and finding host families for support

PASSIONATE ABOUT CONTRIBUTING TO HER COUNTRY

A LIFE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS

Prince - Class of 2017-18 - Recently graduated from University of Zambia in Medicine

FRIEND TO EVERYONE ON CAMPUS

Mirriam - General Worker - always works with a smile on her face

WHERE AMBITION FINDS DIRECTION AND PURPOSE

`A NEW VERSION OF HOME`

`When you ask me about a place I call home!`

`CAN WE TRULY FEEL AT HOME IN A WORLD FAR FROM WHERE WE BEGAN?` Tionge class of 2022-23