Who We Are

ABOUT US

Luyando for Zambia is a Swiss-founded non-profit organization dedicated to creating a lasting impact through female empowerment, hygiene support, and youth development.

Our work focuses on children and their families, especially girls and young mothers - those who often face the greatest barriers to access opportunities. Therefore, we have developed a concept for distributing hygiene products on a monthly basis and cooperate with local organizations that offer educational and sports programmes.

Furthermore, we support families in very critical conditions. We believe that lasting support and growth begins even before education, which is through a safe and stable environment at home.

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Hello everyone and welcome to Luyando for Zambia. My name is Vanessa Quandt and I am happy to introduce myself, my world and projects here, in the Southern Province of Zambia.

My empathy and love for children quickly grew at a young age and I felt fulfilled by helping others. For many years, I worked as a babysitter, helped with disabled children and assisted in babysport groups during my free time after school. After coming to Zambia the first time in 2018, it became clear to me that my future would be here and that I want to take part in making a difference and create a lasting impact.

I was incredibly lucky to find my second home and family too, which has definitely been the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Back in Europe, I live in Switzerland and work as a flight attendant. I am very lucky to have my dream job, which allows me to combine and live my two passions between two different continents and provides many opportunities for personal growth - not only for me, but for others as well.

MY JOURNEY IN ZAMBIA

My love for Zambia began in July 2018. I worked as a volunteer at a local primary school, where I helped to teach English. I lost my heart from day one and I realized very quickly that there was no turning back. I knew that my place and purpose in this world is right here and nothing could ever change it.

Over the past years, I have returned countless times, watched wonderful children grow up, donated clothes, school supplies and hygiene products around the local communities and founded my own projects.

Luyando for Zambia is not only my own organization - it is a huge part of my heart. I want to support and give back to those who once welcomed and included me without any hesitation as one of their own.

I met many Zambians throughout the past years who became my second family. Two of them are close friends that I work with and whom I trust unconditionally, knowing that we share the same goals and love children with all our hearts.

MEET THE TEAM

  • MWAPE

    Mwape is my inspiration. In 2021, she registered her own organization, "Solid Rock“ and supports children and their families in her community with all her heart. Her commitment and motivation are remarkable and her empathy and knowledge irreplaceable. Every child is welcome at her home, gets access to education and will always find help.

  • ARNOLD

    Arnold, or better: Coach Arnold, is a man I trust with all my heart. He founded the girls football team “Rising Queens” and coaches his own daughters and their friends. His warmth, kindness, and open-hearted personality are what the girls need and appreciate. Whenever he’s not working, you’ll find him on the football pitch. He supports the girls with all his resources and encourages them every day to improve their performances and to fight for their goals.

If all of us give a little, we can make big changes.

We can’t change the world, but a small impact can make this world a tiny bit better.

Zikomo, Twalumba, Thank you, and Dankeschön – to everyone who is able and interested to be part of Luyando for Zambia