A Future Transformed: Fridah’s Story

When Fridah first arrived at Pestalozzi from her village in Zambia’s Eastern Province, she could not speak English. Life back home was difficult, and like many girls in her community, her future was expected to follow a very different path.

Today, Fridah is an auditor at PKF Chartered Accountants, a journey she describes as possible only because of the opportunity education gave her.

After completing Grade 12 at Pestalozzi with outstanding results, Fridah joined PKF as an audit intern in 2017. Just a few months later, instead of simply offering her a contract, the company chose to invest further in her future by fully sponsoring her professional accountancy qualification through ZICA.

Reflecting on her time at Pestalozzi, Fridah credits the organisation’s “Head, Heart and Hands” philosophy for shaping who she is today.

“The head was the academic learning and critical thinking. The heart was the love and care we shared with one another. And the hands were the practical skills, gardening, sewing, baking. I loved baking,” she says.

For Fridah, education was never just about passing exams. It was about gaining confidence, discovering possibility, and building a future she had never imagined for herself. 

Her story is also one of resilience and belonging. Arriving alongside students from different provinces and backgrounds, Fridah remembers the challenge of learning English and adapting to a completely new environment. Yet through shared experiences, friendships, and support, the students grew together.

Now pursuing the next chapter of her professional journey, Fridah hopes one day to give back by serving on the Pestalozzi board and supporting future generations of young people.

“I know how much this opportunity changed my life,” she says. “There are so many others who need that same chance.”

Fridah’s story is a powerful reminder that when young people are given access to education, support, and belief in their potential, the impact reaches far beyond the individual, transforming families, communities, and futures for generations to come.