How Mentorship is Changing Lives

At Impact Network Together with PEAS, we look for ways to go beyond academics. We believe learning flourishes when students feel supported, confident, and connected. This year, we launched an initiative we’re especially excited about: the Mentorship Project, made possible with support from our partners at Together Women Rise.

The project pairs outstanding secondary school students with younger peers in upper primary school, giving students someone to talk to about classroom challenges and life beyond school. Whether it's tackling tough subjects like math and science, preparing for the transition to secondary school, or having honest conversations about menstrual health and hygiene, these mentorship sessions are already making a real difference.

We selected 14 student mentors with strong academic performance and leadership potential. Each mentor completed training in communication, problem-solving, and peer support. They received backpacks, books, calculators, and supplies to help them lead effectively. Participating schools also received additional learning materials to create a nurturing environment where mentorship can thrive.

One student who has already benefited is Charity Banda, a bright and determined 12-year-old in Grade 6 at Kanyelele Primary School. She’s the second of five children and helps her family run a small shop in their village when she’s not in class. Over the past few weeks, Charity participated in three mentorship sessions that have already changed how she sees herself and her future.

“I’ve had the chance to meet with my mentors for three sessions, and already, I can feel a big change in my life,” she told us. “In our talks about math and science, I’ve discovered new ways to solve problems, and I’m much more confident when answering questions in class. For the first time, I don’t feel scared to speak up.”

One of the sessions focused on preparing for secondary school. Charity learned how to manage her time, what to expect, and how to find her way around a new environment.

“It made me realize that change doesn’t have to be frightening. It can be exciting, especially when you’re ready for it.”

In another session, mentors discussed hygiene and menstrual health. Charity learned how to stay clean and take care of herself, even on difficult days. She said that knowing she can attend school comfortably and confidently has made a big difference.

But what moved her most was hearing her mentor’s personal story. Her mentor is a student who once walked the same path and faced many of the same challenges. She talked about starting at Kafunkha Day Secondary School and how she overcame obstacles to get where she is today.

“Her journey gives me hope and reminds me that I can do it too.”

Charity dreams of passing Grade 7, attending Kafunkha Day Secondary School, and eventually becoming a doctor. She wants to care for sick people and support her family. Thanks to the mentorship sessions, she says she already feels stronger, healthier, and more prepared for the road ahead.

This is exactly the kind of impact we strive for across our programs. Together, we are supporting a generation of confident, empowered students ready to lead and thrive. Thank you for being part of this journey.