Rocky: ALMs Teacher & Counsellor

My name is Rocky Chimbila. I am married with three children, one girl and two boys. I am a qualified teacher. But my current role is as a child and youth care officer at ALMs. My work is to ensure that the children are protected from any kind of abuse within the Orphanage, from family members, and in the community at large. Also to sensitize children and youth on the dangers of using strong and dangerous substances like drugs, alcohol, smoking, and other related substances. This also leads to psychosocial guidance and counselling especially to those who are already using drugs or other substances. To help these young people, we get them involved in different sporting activities like football, volleyball, netball and other athletics like running, in addition to counselling. 

I also have been privileged to work with the youth of Kaloko, starting a soccer team involving young men between the ages of 13 to 20 years old. We have two teams, Under 20 and Under 15 years old. The Under 20 Team has been enrolled in a youth league that has been recognised by the National Football Association. Despite the challenges that we face as a team in terms of equipment and other logistics we continue to soldier on and play some really good established teams. Our main goal is to build responsible, respectful and hardworking young men. Some of the young people who qualify to work have also been working on the school construction project and they too have benefited from this project.

I also oversee the school transport, ensuring ALMs vehicles are licenced, insured and road worthy. As a driver for ALMs, from last year in October, when the school construction project started, I have worked closely with the contractors to transport materials to the site. This gave me a good opportunity to understand the construction project. It has really been great working with the people living around the community in Kaloko and Mushili. Many lives have been impacted positively by the employment opportunities that have come their way through the construction of the new school in memory of Graeme Blair. The people have shown so much appreciation for everything that they have received from making mortar, offloading bricks or even just drawing water and passing it on to the designated person or area.  

People living around Kaloko are all talking about the school and some very close to ALMs remember the first muzungu (white man) and his wife digging holes for the fence. They also appreciate how the school will provide their children with much needed education. I personally knew Mr. Graeme Blair and his wife Dr. Merryl Blair. Their hearts were of service for the needy here, especially children. I feel what was decided, to construct the school in memory of Graeme, was the best decision to be made because this school will serve many children in the community of Kaloko where Graeme flew kites with the children and participated in putting up the first barbed wire fence.

My perspective about how I look at life and people in general has been given a real turnaround and granted me a sense of appreciation for everything that I receive or am blessed with. The transformation of these young people has given me hope that vulnerable young people need to be given an equal opportunity to attain education and participate in sport. 

Written By: Rocky Chimbila

Rocky & His Family

Rocky in the Classroom

Graeme Blair Digging Fence Post Holes