Hello Everyone

[mKLUNGU]

I’m Kilby and I’m 46 years old, just about to turn 47 on September 12th, 2021.

I am originally from Lusaka and have been living there for thirteen years. Seventh Day Adventist by faith (now I backslide a little, just getting back into serious worship) and I am slowly recovering SDA. I used to be so dedicated back then when I was a student, then became a teacher in a rural setting, and there I was very much committed. Anyways, time moves and change came with its own new dimensions.

I have been to school. I studied Design and Technology (Today it is called thus). During our time we called it Industrial Arts, which was a dual subject combination of Geometrical and Mechanical Drawing, Metalwork or Woodwork. I obtained a teaching diploma for this and was employed by government as a teacher. However, before I could stay longer teaching I decided to go back to college to pursue an additional diploma in Guidance, Counseling and Placement. As I was taking this course in the morning, in the evening I was studying, on different programs, Project Management and Computer applications. I was so determined to exit teaching and chose to study more courses.

I never stayed long into teaching, for my mind wanted something rather too engaging, and offering a good paycheck. So I decided to bolt into the capital city to find a job away from the government. And, thank God I found one as a Project Coordinator at the Family Health Trust. My first project was funded by USAID through American Institute of Research (AIR). Exactly what I wanted though very different from my earlier subjects of expertise.

As a teacher, I taught Industrial Arts and Computer Studies at a Technical Secondary School, located in the rural town. At my new job, I was coordinating HIV/AIDS School--based activities, which involved largely scholarships and life skills. This position required that I travel to various schools and administer scholarships for mostly girls - It included supporting girls in schools by paying school fees, giving them comfort kits and also training them in life skills. In 2009, I closed the project and switched to yet another life skills program supported by UNICEF. It also involved going into schools to conduct trainings and support teachers in the HIV/AIDS field.

While I was busy implementing these activities, I spent my free time attending a course at University of Zambia. This was still in Education. It was not easy but I was given special attention by the lecturers to a point that I never missed anything. In times I was on duty, lecturers will offer to meet me alone. I take this moment to thank them all - I meritoriously graduated and obtained a bachelors.

I worked that HIV/AIDS field for a solid 9 years. I still do offer guidance to NGOs that are into HIV/AIDS, and I am also involved in a little psychosocial counseling programs (Not much really). In 2013, I joined a South African NPO and executed the In-Country Coordinator responsibilities. I worked with this company for 3 and half years, after which I could not think of being employed but rather be the employer. My mind was tilted towards entrepreneurial endeavors and I set up myself for it. Since 2016, I have been on the entrepreneurial track.

I need to say that starting out this journey was not anything I would smile about. It is indeed a rough journey, and a trip you would not define with a single route. One evident thing I can share with you is that nothing worked righteously, except other ideas could go through and attract a lot of people. Even then, nothing moved because the most important aspect of entrepreneurial journey was not present - I am talking about working capital. No matter how brilliant the idea may be, if there is no startup financing from either yourself, friend, or family, forget.

I never gave up and still moved on. I have learnt my lessons during the startup and I have felt how it is to be broke, and happier. But I knew that I no longer wanted to trade a penny for a month, so I went looking for something else. That’s when cryptocurrency investing found me though never stayed longer because I lost far to much money with scammers. Feeling that I needed to share a story with others about my experiences, in terms of failures and successes, I came up with the Centre for eLearning and IT Research, and had it registered in 2018.

During my startup struggles I have learnt a lot, through blogs, and sometimes through short courses that are offered online. I convinced myself knowledge, skills and abilities are the only 3 things that would accelerate success. I have taken several online courses and have gained skills through online interaction. Its been 4 years since I found that world, and the change is yet to be experienced.

In the 4 years of my startup, I have written academic books in computer studies which are approved for my country education curriculum. I have equally established websites for magazines (www.idatamag.com), Online tertiary education (www.altertiaries.org), and have worked on several projects that have earned money and most of them just about to earn me more. However, ultimately, I would still need working capital in pre-seed before moving into series.

Today, we would want to tell a story that the more you read, the better you become. My joining this forum will share it all to everyone.

Lastly, I am warning you not to read content that will not help you grow or become better in life.

My desire, through this interaction, is to re-establish myself, reach out and help myself find someone who would show me on how to be successful - focusing on business. It is awesome!

 

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