In the quiet, sun-soaked village of Lukonde Ward in Gwembe District, lives Georgina Mboozi, a 58-year-old woman with a resilient spirit and an inspiring story. Her life has been anything but easy—but it is proof that strength doesn’t always come from standing tall, sometimes it comes from rising after every fall.
When Georgina was just two years old, her world changed forever. A battle with poliomyelitis left her with a physical disability that would shape the course of her life. Between the ages of 2 and 9, she was frequently ill and unable to start school. Even when she finally joined school at the age of 10, her journey was filled with emotional and social hurdles.
👣 “Some family members couldn’t accept me because of my disability,” Georgina recalls. “Eventually, I dropped out of school.”
Despite the early heartbreak and isolation, Georgina never gave up. Life continued, and she built a home with her husband, a garden farmer. However, water scarcity in the region meant the dream of a flourishing family garden remained just out of reach.
Then came September 2024—a turning point in Georgina’s life. Along with other persons with disabilities in her community, she co-founded the Tusumpulani Self Help Group, a support and empowerment group for people like her.
Through the Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) Project, Georgina began attending workshops and training sessions, equipping herself with knowledge and confidence that had once seemed unreachable.
And then came March 2025—a highlight in her journey. Georgina traveled to Livingstone for a UNDP-funded entrepreneurship training for persons with disabilities. There, she learned about business development, innovative ideas, and how to transform challenges into opportunities.
💬 “These trainings opened my eyes,” Georgina says with a glow of pride. “I now see myself in a new light—not as someone limited, but as someone capable.”
Today, Georgina is not just a member, but the chairperson of the Tusumpulani group. Her leadership has taken her beyond Zambia’s borders, engaging with people from as far away as Germany, sharing her story, and building new networks of support.
💙 “The DIDRR project has helped me feel free to interact with others—something I used to fear,” Georgina shares. “I’m no longer afraid to speak. I believe in myself.”
From a little girl once hidden away by illness and rejection to a bold woman leading others and dreaming big, Georgina is a living example of how empowerment, inclusion, and opportunity can change lives.
✨ She’s not just surviving—she’s thriving. And she’s paving the way for others to do the same.
#InclusionMatters #DisabilityRights #EmpoweredWomen #DIDRR #GeorginasJourney #ADRAZambia #UNDP #HopeInAction đź’«
English