Empowering Zambia’s Youth and Transforming Education
The One with Helen Leale-Green: Episode 12 (2023)
“My students keep me going. They are just amazing, and I’ve got the best job working with them and every other student I’ve worked with, and I find that a very rewarding experience.” — Helen Leale-Green (2023)
In this week’s episode, we had the honor of featuring Helen Leale-Green, a passionate advocate for education in Zambia. Helen is the founder and CEO of Our Moon Education, a small charity focused on empowering bright but financially-disadvantaged Zambian youth to pursue higher education.
Helen’s journey began as an accountant, but her priorities and passions shifted when she volunteered with a charity. This experience sparked her interest in the educational sector, leading her to pursue a master’s degree in International Development Education. She started her charity work in 2015 after a Zambian student suggested she could significantly impact Zambia. Helen organized workshops, visited schools, and developed a simple program to support high-achieving, low-income students in accessing international higher education opportunities.
The transition from accounting to charity work through volunteering is a fascinating aspect of Helen’s story. It highlights the value of volunteering in shaping one’s career trajectory. Helen’s experience exemplifies the positive impact that volunteering can have.
As a foreigner in Africa, Helen prepared for her journey by familiarizing herself with the African lifestyle through interactions with Zambia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe students. While some aspects of the country shocked her, she found the Zambian people welcoming and supportive, exceeding her expectations.
Let’s take a closer look at Helen’s organization, Our Moon Education. Their program runs for 18 months to 2 years, depending on when students begin university. The first year is full-time on-site, where students undertake research projects on global issues in Zambia. This approach enhances their problem-solving skills, which are essential in today’s world. The organization also provides internships in the second year to develop employability skills and expose students to professional opportunities in Zambia.
When selecting students, Helen specifically looks for those interested in using their education to address community challenges. However, she acknowledges the importance of allowing students to choose their own paths without imposing her trajectory upon them. Helen celebrates the success stories of her students, with approximately five graduates from different universities worldwide.
During the interview, Helen mentioned two significant challenges she faces with her students. Firstly, there is a reluctance to express their mental health concerns due to societal stigmas. To address this, on-site psychotherapists offer counseling services to encourage open dialogue and emphasize that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Helen recognizes the need to break the silence surrounding mental health in Africa.
Another challenge Helen mentioned is students' financial pressure, as their families assume they are well-off due to studying abroad. In reality, these students often work while studying to support themselves. Helen encourages students to contribute what they can afford to their families while emphasizing the importance of realistic expectations and avoiding excessive pressure.
Helen has no plans to extend her charity work to other African countries, as she believes there is still much to be done in Zambia. Her students inspire her and make her job incredibly rewarding. She also suggests that the Zambian government revise the curriculum to promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and a space for students to ask questions, thereby helping the education sector thrive.
We are excited to witness Helen’s future endeavors with her charity and may even invite her back on the podcast. Our conversation was brief but impactful, shedding light on the challenges and rewards of her work.
Thank you for joining us in this insightful episode.
You can connect with Helen on IG & FB @ourmooneducation. Website: www.ourmoon.org.uk
Listen to the episode (see links below)!
🅻🅸🅽🅺🆂:
Listen: https://bit.ly/OurMoonEd2023
Download: https://bit.ly/OurMoonEd2023DL
Or on the website: www.mosibyl.com