Global Zambian Excellence: Celebrating Our Women on International Women’s Day
As the world commemorates International Women’s Day 2026, the Organization of Zambians Abroad (OZA) pauses to celebrate the incredible strength, leadership, and “Ubuntu” spirit of the women in our diaspora community.
Being a Zambian woman abroad is a unique journey. It requires the resilience to thrive in new professional landscapes while remaining deeply anchored in the heritage of home. Today, we don’t just celebrate individual success—we celebrate how our women reach back to lift others
Partners in Progress:
In the spirit of this year’s global call to action, OZA is proud to highlight the transformative work being led by Zambian women in the diaspora. Their commitment proves that distance is no barrier to making a difference.
Atlanta Zambian Women With Influence (AZWWI)
Atlanta Zambian Women With Influence (AZWWI): We are honored to spotlight the vital work of this organization. The Atlanta Zambian Women With Influence (AZWWI), a Georgia-based nonprofit, empowers women and children in Zambia through education, healthcare, and socioeconomic programs, supporting over 140 orphan girls at Lukomba Primary and Secondary School.
The foundation has also put 24 students in university. Their dedication to providing solar-powered water systems and educational resources is a testament to the power of the diaspora to drive sustainable change.
Winnie Musonda Hope Foundation
Winnie Musonda Hope Foundation established over 15 years ago to support children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Zambia. Their mission is to bring hope, support, and opportunity to vulnerable children and youth through youth empowerment, mentorship, and educational support initiatives. Key team members include Co-Founder Malita Mbewe Moncrieffe, Director of Accounting Bupe Mwape, and Chief Advisor Paul Tembo. We remain committed to uplifting communities and empowering the next generation.
Home for God's Children
Home for God’s Children: Compassion is a cornerstone of our culture, and “Home for God’s Children” (associated with the Loving God’s Children initiative) demonstrates this daily. By focusing on the most vulnerable—orphaned children and widows—this organization provides more than just aid; they provide a future. Through education, vocational training, and healthcare in communities like Isoka, they ensure that the next generation of Zambian girls has the foundation to dream big.
WISE Zambia (Women’s Initiatives that Strengthen and Empower)
WISE Zambia (Women’s Initiatives that Strengthen and Empower) was initially founded by Margaret Mundia in 2004 in Kaoma, Western Province, after several years working with Habitat For Humanity volunteers, led by Lynn Twitchell from Maine. The US branch formed in 2005 to support the Zambian women in their work of empowerment, skills training and education. www.wisezambia.org
WISE began its current educational empowerment program in 2013 at the inspiration of several teachers in Zambia’s Western Province, with the hire of Maggie Indopu Wamunyima as Executive Director. Her goal is that 75% of its scholarship students be girls, due to traditional early marriage practices, early pregnancy, gender-based violence and traditional attitudes that boys are more deserving of education. Boys with no resources make up 25% of WISE’s students.
In 2025, WISE supported 106 students in more than 20 tertiary institutions across Zambia and now has a total of 55 college and nursing school graduates, expecting that 35 more will graduate in 2026.
Evan Haglund joined WISE as a board member in the US in 2012, and has served as US Executive Director since 2019. Joanne (Jo-Jo) Bollinger, WISE Board CoChair, has enjoyed her collaboration with OZA for several years, both at Independence Day celebrations and with many individuals in the diaspora across the US.
WISE believes that it will have succeeded when each of its students has achieved their potential and, more importantly, will have the ability to give back to their families, communities, and country. Thus, all of WISE Zambia’s program is founded on six core principles:
High-Hanging Fruit—WISE serves underserved or unserved communities, going into remote villages in search of students who will benefit from educational support in secondary school and beyond
LIDA GIFT EXPRESSION
Founded on April 4, 2017, by Bester Seemani, Lida Gift Expressions was established to honor the legacy of her mother, Suzen Linda Mubamba. Despite having only a fourth-grade education, Mubamba was a dedicated entrepreneur who prioritized her children’s schooling through her own trade profits. This commitment to educational continuity serves as the organization’s cornerstone. After observing gaps in traditional sponsorship models—where students were often dropped due to relocation or pregnancy—Seemani developed a more resilient framework through the Entrepreneurship Scholar’s program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The organization guarantees unwavering support for its students from primary school through high school graduation, regardless of their personal or geographic circumstances.
Currently, the organization supports 37 students in impoverished communities across Lusaka, Six Miles, Mkushi, and Shibuyunji. These students, often orphans or from single-parent households, are identified by local teachers as being in the greatest need. While the founder remains the primary financial sponsor, a dedicated team of volunteers across the United States and Zambia manages the logistics of providing uniforms, shoes, and essential school supplies every January. This hands-on approach ensures that every child has the physical tools necessary to succeed in the classroom.
The impact of this mission is most evident in the organization’s recent expansion into higher education and vocational training. In 2021, Lida Gift Expressions sponsored 30 students at the Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hotel Studies, resulting in 26 successful graduates. Furthermore, students attending St. Paul’s Catering School have successfully transitioned into the workforce, securing positions at the Bank of Zambia Canteen, the Lusaka City Council, and various hospitality venues. As these graduates gain professional independence and confidence, the organization is now shifting its focus toward formal fundraising ventures to ensure all sponsored students have the opportunity to pursue a college education.
Operation iDream
Operation iDream was co-founded by Sam Sikapizye and his wife Kasamba Sikapizye. They moved to the US from Zambia in 2001. In 2004 they helped pioneer Hope Ministries in Twapia – Ndola. In 2017, Pastor Sam
and Kasamba were led to start a school in the tribal land – a community that didn’t have a school or clinic near by. Today, iDream is growing into an environment that’s supports growth and bringing development to one of the vulnerable communities. Since 2017, iDream has grown to:
435 students preschool – 12th grade
iDream Clinic – serving over 28,000 patients with free medication since inception
450 + school lunch served everyday
40 full time staff members
iDream library with over 5,000 books
Mercy house for students with medical needs
Girls dorm with 12 students to help reduce early marriages and unwanted pregnancies
156 citrus trees for sustainability
iDream coffee
iDream church – serving the community
Constructed a skills center
Build a girls dorm for at risk girls
iDream plans to open a University in the future. Thank you for all the support.
Sam and Kassy live in Sacramento with their 2 children, Niza (19) in College and Raquel 15yrs old grade 10.
Chef Astrida Bunukule
Came to the USA in 2014, was exited the first few days but as days, weeks, months started unfolding, I started missing our traditional foods like nshima,kapenta,ifinkubala to name a few, started searching for African stores by then in California but all I could find was west African foods which I wasn’t familiar with as we don’t eat the same foods.
Thought of going back as I was getting depressed, but another thought said I should persevere and everything be fine, to cut the long story short that’s how I started importing food from Zambia, at first it was just 150lbs then to 800lbs of organic dry stuffs, my clientele grew and I had alot of clients not only in America but in Canada too.
Back home, I had 2 restaurants, 1 hair store, and 1 hair salon, but as I grew older, my focus shifted to the food business because I love cooking.
Living in a country of rules and regulations, I decided to do a course in FOOD HANDLING AND PRODUCTION.
I completed the course and am now certified.
Chef Astrida has become a household name in the USA, as I cook for important events like the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Zambia to the USA, OZA, and private functions, to name a few, and I love what I do.
Putting Zambia 🇿🇲 on the world map through my food business has been my biggest accomplishment.
Every year, there’s a Bazaar at the UN, and I showcase our organic foodstuffs. Delegates come to buy more and praise our food, saying it’s very tasty.
As I continue working on my brand, my dream is to open a Zambian restaurant in the Tristate area, God willing.
Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one who has supported me and continues to support me.
Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza Co-Founder & Executive Director, African Education Program (AEP)
Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the African Education Program (AEP), a nonprofit working in Zambia and Rwanda to expand access to quality education, health services, and leadership opportunities for children and youth.
Julie-Anne co-founded AEP as a teenager, driven by a belief that meaningful change happens when communities are at the center of designing their own solutions. Over the past two decades, she has helped grow AEP’s flagship Learning & Leadership Center—locally known as the Amos Youth Centre—into a community-led organization, and is now expanding this work in inclusive education through a partnership with The Moyo Center in Rwanda.
Her leadership is rooted in long-term investment—walking alongside young people over many years as they grow into confident leaders, educators, and changemakers in their own communities. Today, many of AEP’s staff are alumni of the programs themselves, a reflection of this sustained, locally driven impact.
For Julie-Anne, International Women’s Month is both a celebration and a call to action. It is a moment to recognize the women who lead quietly and boldly in their communities every day, and to continue pushing for systems that create real opportunity and equity for women and girls worldwide.
Through her work, she remains committed to building spaces where young women can access education, find their voice, and step into leadership—helping shape a future where communities thrive because women are empowered to lead.
The Zed Cultural Dancers
The Zed Cultural Dancers – Founded in 2014, The Zed Cultural Dancers (formerly The Zed Trio) is a dance ensemble composed of Zambian-born women raised in Montgomery County, Maryland.
The name” Zed” reflects the pronunciation of the letter “Z” in Zambia, highlighting the group’s cultural roots.
Their performances celebrate Zambian heritage through dance & cultural presentations.
Blending traditional dances & costumes to represent the 72 tribes of Zambia, their style combines choreographed routines with freestyle expression, creating an energetic and engaging experience for audiences.
The Zed Cultural Dancers have performed at a variety of events, including corporate parties, weddings, cultural festivals, government galas, award ceremonies, birthday celebrations, and
Independence Day commemorations, including OZA.
The Zed Cultural Dancers are honored to represent Zambia. The group is dedicated to sharing its culture through dance.
We thank the Zed Cultural Dancers for keeping the Zambian culture alive.
Happy International Women’s Month!
At OZA, we recognize that the “Zambian Dream” is built on the shoulders of our mothers, sisters, and daughters. Whether they are pioneering in the IT sector, managing healthcare agencies, or leading community organizations, Zambian women abroad are our greatest ambassadors.
To the women of the diaspora: Your work does not go unnoticed. You are the bridge between where we are and where we come from. You are the heart of OZA.
Happy International Women’s Day!
#IWD2026 #ZambianWomenAbroad #OZA #ZambianExcellence #AZWWI #HomeForGodsChildren
Happy Women’s Day!
You know you’re called to fulfill your life’s purpose on earth? Celebrate you! You are fearfully and wonderfully made, Woman!
Nothing is more beautiful than a woman who is brave, strong, and emboldened because of who Christ is in her. Arise in your unique, authentic self. Your voice and feelings matter.
You are loved, capable, strong, and enough.
– She is clothed with strength and dignity.- Proverbs 31:25
– You are God’s masterpiece. – Ephesians 2:10
– I can do all this through him. – Philippians 4:13
Believe in your potential! Rise up and shine!
AngieCee
PAC
