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2007, Thandiwe Chama (17), Zambia

Thandiwe grew up in Zambia, where the HIV / AIDS epidemic was raging at that time and the country was suffering from its terrible consequences. Many people died during this time, including some of Thandiwe’s teachers. This caused a shortage of teachers and schools were forced to close. The right to education was at stake.

Thandiwe believes education is extremely important. It’s a basic right for every child. She grew up in a poor neighborhood in Zambia where many children, especially girls, do not have access to education. In addition, there are few or poor facilities at school. Thandiwe wants to change this.

“We cannot achieve sustainable development without ensuring that my rights, my education, and my health is just as important as that of my brothers.”

Thandiwe’s actions

Thandiwe was eight years old when her school had to close its doors due to the death of the teachers. She motivated  60 other children  to participate in a march she organized to another school, to  claim their right to education  and ask to be admitted there. The  march  was successful, and all 60 children were accepted. This was just her first step in her fight for the rights of her peers and herself.

 

The Chicken with AIDS

HIV/AIDS is one of the causes Thandiwe is committed to. She wants to contribute to creating a future where the HIV virus is no longer a part of it. According to Thandiwe,  these changes start with the children . She is convinced that all children should know what kind of disease AIDS is, how to deal with it, and how to prevent it. For this reason, she is writing a children’s book, *  The Chicken with AIDS* , a book about a child with AIDS who infects a duck. A book that is now being used in several schools for educational purposes.

Local changemaking

One of the things Thandiwe devotes a lot of time to daily is her local  changemaking  activities. For example, together with a number of friends, she speaks about HIV/AIDS in churches and at public events. In this way, they hope  to further break  the taboo  surrounding HIV/AIDS  and create more  awareness  in Zambia.

"When you educate a child you educate the nation. And an educated society is a developed country."

- THANDIWE CHAMA, 2007 WINNER INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S PEACE PRIZE

Thandiwe's Story

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