Sunday, December 22, 2024

Zambian Boy Wins Place in presitigious South Korean University

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zambianboyKent Kamasumba, a 20-year-old from Zambia, is delighted to have been admitted to Seoul National University’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development in October, only seven months after he left his home to come to Korea. Kamasumba is the first student from Jirisan High School, a small country school of 53 pupils in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province, to enter Korea’s most prestigious university.[quote]

Jirisan High School admits bright students in poor and developing countries through recommendations from Korean missionaries and associations there. If these students perform well in their studies, the school pays for their tuition and living expenses throughout university up to doctoral studies on one condition — they must return to and work for their countries after completing their studies.

Kamasumba lost his father at a young age and had to rely on his relatives because his mother remarried and could not afford to look after him. “Often I had just one meal a day,” he recalls. In February this year, he graduated from a high school in Lusaka, the Zambian capital. A Korean missionary who had noticed Kamasumba’s qualities recommended him to Jirisan High School.

Park Hae-sung, the school’s principal, says, “We select students based on two criteria only — whether they have a strong desire to study, and whether they’re really from a poor family. We have produced 40 graduates, and all of them went to university.”

Kamasumba took classes in English for three foreign students and studied Korean in the school’s library after class. Living in a dormitory and participating in volunteer work after school, Kamasumba befriended his Korean classmates with ease. “Once I graduate from university, I’m going to go back to Zambia and contribute to my country’s economic development,” he says. “My dream is to become president of Zambia.”

What he fears most for the time being is Korea’s cold winter. The first snow on Mt. Jiri will be the first snow he has ever seen.

[The Chosun IIbo]

46 COMMENTS

  1. Good for you young man. I have seen a lot of graduates from Zambia who have studied abroad and instead, prefer to continue living in diaspora due to the current economic situation back home.

  2. Yangu, still no comments.LT seems people want to hear whats taking place in solwezi.Congrats zedian boy keep it up.Apply for land before you finish yr studies.

  3. Ba Lt, why don’t you rewrite this article so it can reflect your perspective other than just copy and paste? it kind of sounds weird because it is the Zambian readers you are reporting to and not South Koreans.

  4. Good one Korea! Mwaiche job elo yatampa noomba ku joba fye forget the snow for now. get stuck in it and while you are it, savor some korean offerings!

  5. Kalabalika kent.Nikujipa chabe uko.But kuli tuma Korean girls tuli wild,so nikuchejela or if anything just scoop one to stress you down.Iam happy for you young man given your backgroun.Looks like you are one of the few who really believe in themselves despite all the odds.

  6. Lesa talekelesha, well done boy.Please mind your talking, your comment onces RB reads that you want to be next Zed president he will instruct ka mulongoti to comment something bad you will never forget in your life time.
    Just study hard and come back to Zed home sweet home boy.

  7. Stay way from politics for now, but the future surely belongs to us, who are working very hard for our beloved country. still more fye, why didn’t you pick on something like engineering? All the same, study well, God bless you, son.

  8. Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. NIV (1 Timothy 3:1) I will be prayig for you Kent Kamasumba that God may make your dream come true. He did for Joseph in the Bible so he will for you. That you may attain your hearts desire to be president of the Rebulic of Zambia. Levy PM had a desire to build a bridge across the Luapula river ever since he was a young Boy and so he did when he became president. God answers the prayer of his faithful servant. congrats all the best in your studies.

  9. Young man I wish you God’s blessings and success. Most of us went through similar experiences like losing one of the parents and so on but with determination and hard work you are guaranteed success. I’m so happy for you.

  10. LT rewrite the story. Where was the young months ago? What grade did he go into when he went to Jirisan? It takes 7 months to get into Uni in Korea? Which secondary schooI did he attent in Zed? I dont understand your story

  11. Ba Jazzie, which 3rd year and which Yunza? Instead of heaping praise on the young man mwaleta competition. Ok, the young man is at Yunza in Korea, see no competition mudala.

  12. this is a story that will be bigger than the “Obama one” . People this a future president of Zambia. Only an *****, will come and say his not a Zambian. Know lets hear what those tribalist and indigenous racists have to say.

  13. Congrats your Excellency Kent, it all starts with a dream [as long as you dont make dreams you master] keep the Zambian flame burning, the sky is no longer the limit.

  14. #20 Jazzie Jazzie, The focus here is on the young man Kent and he needs encouragement. We are not interested about how old you were when you were doing whatever year at whatever university.

  15. Congrats young man! We are proud of you! Remain focused, you can achieve anything you put your mind to. Remember your God. Phil 4:13

  16. Good Young man! Imwe bangwele who like overstaying in power give chance to this young man to become President of Zambia some day!

  17. Great Job Kent!! Do not return to Zed until you get the PhD!!
    While Zambia will need your input, we are grossly under-represented in international organizations. Dream big. Aim to be head of FAO or even UN!

  18. Ba Jazzie Jazzie comparison yanu is misplaced.You even read the background of the young one but still want to compare with yourself who maybe has a privileged background.Zambians,we have issues.

  19. MAY GOOD GOD BE ON YOUR SIDE EVERY TIME. BE BLESSED AND LEARN TO DWELL IN GODS PRESENCE EVERY TIME. BE STRONG MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY,EMOTIONALLY AS WELL AS SPIRITUALLY. I ADORE YOU.

  20. This youn man is vying for Zambian Presidency when men of subsistance like Prof. Clive Chirwa have had their ambitions only stopped by many ROAD BLOCKS put in their way. The young man is better off concentrating on his studies first and think of politics later. Zambian politics are taking another deminsion. Its like going back to UNIP era. We are yet to see more. But for Kamasumba study hard and forget about politics.

  21. Congrats!! keep it up, stay away from GIRLS and POLITICS, they might destroy you! May GOD bless you in all your studies and in all your dwellings!

  22. Bravo Kent, keep on working hard at university and be focused. Proud of you young man. Kambilombilo tekwesha just get used to their food!

  23. Congrats Kent. Always remember your creator for He said He will be the father to the fatherless. Put in extra effort in your studies and you will surely excel. Stay focused and you will realise your dreams.

  24. Job well done young one ….but like #42 said being president shouldnt be one’s dream at all especially in Zambia. Your dream should be to become what you want through your studies, the sky is the limit.
    being pres should just be a one day dream. just like i will one day just wake up and decide to campaign for presidency
    GOOD LUCK

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