How Peggy Baela’s advocacy has changed access to education in her community
When Peggy Baela speaks about education, she does so with a certainty shaped by experience. A former student at Nsobe Community School in Masaiti District, she understands deeply what access to education can mean for a young person and what its absence can take away.
“I enjoyed a great education at Nsobe School, and I deeply value it,” Baela says. “So much so that I wanted others to have the same opportunity.”
Lack of accessible schooling
Nsobe Community School was established in 2009 in response to the lack of accessible schooling in the surrounding rural area. Beginning with just 16 pupils, the school expanded gradually, adding one grade at a time. In 2021, Nsobe celebrated its first Grade 12 graduating class. Today, it serves more than 600 learners across primary and secondary levels and employs 35 teachers.
Managed by Nsobe Development Trust, the school combines formal education with additional support including school meals, youth leadership programmes, clubs, and safe houses for vulnerable girls. In 2023, Nsobe was formally recognised as a Grant Aided School under Zambia’s Ministry of Education.
Overcrowding in education
Baela’s connection to Nsobe is closely linked to another school nearby, Pendeni Community School. Pendeni was the school Baela was originally expected to attend, as it is closer to her home. However, with more than 400 primary pupils sharing just two classrooms and very limited learning materials, her grandmother made the decision to enrol her at Nsobe instead.
That contrast stayed with her. “When I looked at Pendeni, I saw myself,” Baela explains. “If I had gone there, my education would have been very different.”
Youth leadership programmes
As part of her participation in youth leadership programmes at Nsobe, including the Foróige Leadership for Life Programme, she chose to focus her leadership project on the importance of educating girls. Her work highlighted the challenges faced by girls in rural communities, including limited resources and social pressures that can lead to early school dropout.
Rather than just focusing on Nsobe, Baela decided her project should benefit the Pendeni community. Her aim was simple and specific: to raise funds to buy books for a school that had very few.
Pitching to visiting Irish supporters
To do this, Baela undertook paid piece work at Nsobe Game Camp on weekends. During this time, she was encouraged, following a suggestion from Kevin Spain, who works closely with Nsobe Development Trust, through Cuala GAA partnerships, to speak to visiting Irish supporters about her project. A group of Irish visitors took note of her commitment and listened as she explained the situation at Pendeni and to why access to books mattered.
“I wanted the pupils at Pendeni to have something to learn from,” she says. “Books can change how you see your future.”
Purchase of community learning materials
The funds Baela raised contributed to the purchase of learning materials for Pendeni Community School. Her advocacy also helped draw wider attention to the school’s needs. This, in turn, led to further support from Irish Friends of Nsobe, whose collective efforts helped make it possible for a new two-classroom block to be constructed at Pendeni.
EirEng Consulting Engineers played a key role in this development by providing building plans and construction supervision pro bono, and by helping to source much of the funding through their network of friends and supporters. Community members at Pendeni also contributed directly by moulding blocks and supporting the construction process.
Student-led initiatives
Her work took place alongside other student-led initiatives encouraged at Nsobe, where leadership is closely linked to service. Through the Foróige Leadership for Life Programme accredited by the University of Galway and Queen’s University Belfast, Baela and her peers developed skills in communication, planning, and community engagement. She also completed the Kwabuka Programme, which supports young people in career planning and understanding workplace expectations.
A leadership journey
Reflecting on her leadership journey, Baela says the experience has strengthened her confidence and sense of responsibility.
“My journey has not ended. “I still want to work with girls in my community and help them understand why education matters.”
Today, Baela’s story illustrates how access to education, combined with leadership opportunities, can lead to practical action beyond the classroom. At Nsobe Community School, her experience is one example of how young people are being supported not only to learn, but to contribute meaningfully to the development of neighbouring communities.