Joel Simwanza - Dynamic Stars Academy

Joel

Joel is 16 years of age and lives in Chainda compound with his grandparents.He never knew his parents, both having died of "the disease" when he was very young. He is an only child, unusual in Zambia. His grant parents have other children whom he also lives with and will refer to as his mother and father. He plays in Central defence or midfield for the Dynamic Stars under 17's team.

Joel used to attend a boarding school, which saves the family money on food, but was forced to stop going after Grade 10 (Year 10 - UK), early in 2013 due to lack of means to pay the school fees. He really hopes to start again if his grandfather, a primary school teacher himself, is able to find more money. With large extended families not all the children can go to school at the same time. Often older children have to give up to allow their younger siblings to attend and get a basic education, or at least the start of one. Secondary school fees are generally more expensive that primary so the younger children will attend leaving many older children with nothing more than a primary education. If they are lucky enough to complete Grade 12, there aren't any jobs to get anyway. Fees for further education and universities are beyond most families means. To do Grade 11 would cost Joel's family about £50 a year. His favourite subjects at school were English, History and Civics/Politics. Schooling in Zambia is all in English although outside of school Zambians will speak their own Bantu tribal language. There are 76 first tribal languages in Zambia, the most common in Lusaka being a new evolving "urban" Nyanja and more traditional Bember.

Joel has been playing for the Dynamic Stars for 3 years after he met the Coach Mukuka on the pitch one day and joined the academy with some of his friends. He feels the academy has helped him in his life in different ways, notably with the quality of the football coaching provided as well as the encouragement to return to school and life skills he has learnt. He feels that the academy is vital in protecting children and young adults from damaging pastimes, bad behaviour and habits such as drinking, playing cards and gambling. He highlights the academies need to obtain their own transport to get them to away matches across the city.

Ultimately, Joel would like to make it as a professional footballer. Football is his passion, especially the national Chipolopolo team and Manchester United. He names Gareth Bale and Tevez as his favourite players.