When 20-year-old Maiwase Chola first heard about the Trident College Scholarship offered by First Quantum Minerals (FQM), she was only in Grade 8 at Fatima Girls’ in Ndola. At the time, she did not know that a spark of inspiration that day would one day place her among the top students at one of Zambia’s most prestigious schools.
“I remember some Grade 12s had been shortlisted, and I was like, ‘Wow, if they can do it, so can I,’’ Maiwase recalls. That day, a dream was born. One she prayed for every night until it finally came true.
Maiwase’s story is one of quiet perseverance, shaped by a life lived between two worlds, born in Lusaka and spending her formative years between the bustling capital and the more rural Mukulumpe Township in Kasama. Her father, a retired civil servant, and her mother, now a lecturer at Kasama College of Education, always emphasized the value of education. But resources were limited. Dreams like studying at an elite institution such as Trident College often seemed out of reach.
That changed in Grade 12 when a team from Trident visited her school. “I was happy just to be allowed to apply,” she says. Although she was overwhelmed by the aptitude tests and convinced she hadn’t made it, fate had other plans. On graduation day, her name was announced among the few selected to travel to Solwezi for the final interview. Over 50 students from across Zambia competed for spots.
“I thought I was fighting a losing battle,” she says. However, on December 22, everything changed. Maiwase had made it. She was in.
Maiwase’s time at Trident was not just about academics, it was about transformation.
Maiwase (far right) and her friends strike a confident pose at Trident College in Solwezi.
“Coming from Kasama to Trident, I thought I wouldn’t fit in,” she admits. “Let’s be honest, Trident is a prestigious school for the elite. However, because of the scholarship, I never felt out of place. Everything they had, I had too.”
From receiving a personal laptop and phone to going on school trips her family could never afford, Maiwase found herself immersed in an environment that nurtured both her intellect and character. For the first time, she had access to high-quality science equipment, individual microscopes, interactive lessons, and multiple lab practices.
But it wasn’t just about books. Trident emphasized sports and community service, two areas where Maiwase grew immensely.
“I played tennis, volleyball, netball, and even football, things I had never done before,” she smiles. “I also learned that you don’t always need money to make a difference.”
She recalls hosting a fun day for children from Meheba Refugee Camp and visiting Cheshire Homes. “Making those children laugh, it meant a lot to me,” she says.
Maiwase also picked up practical life skills. “I learned how to bake, make cupcakes and creams, all to raise funds for charity.” She even found herself bonding with teachers during casual baking sessions at their homes, making it easier to seek academic support when needed.
Academically, Trident pushed her beyond her limits. “A-levels are hard. They taught me that I needed new strategies to succeed,” she says. That pressure built resilience. “I gained self-confidence. I became stronger.”
Ranked third overall at Trident and placed on the Row of Honour, Maiwase finished with stellar results, an A* and two As. But perhaps more importantly, she gained clarity about her future.
“After Grade 12, I thought I would do medicine because I had six points,” she explains. “But thanks to career guidance classes and an internship at the mine, I discovered my passion for electrical engineering.”
Now preparing to study Electrical Engineering at the University of Zambia alongside her twin brother, who is pursuing Public Administration, Maiwase carries with her the lessons, values, and confidence she gained at Trident.
Maiwase, proudly in her gown, stands tall among her friends as they celebrate their hard-earned achievements at Trident College in Solwezi.
“The scholarship changed my life. It gave me exposure. It showed me that we are all different, coming from different backgrounds, and that’s okay.”
Maiwase Chola celebrates her achievement with the unwavering support of her mother, Maggie Chabala.
In a world where opportunities are often dictated by geography or financial background, Maiwase’s story is a testament to what can happen when talent meets opportunity.
“I never dreamed I would be at Trident College,” she says. “But now I know that where you come from does not determine where you are going.”
And with a heart full of gratitude and a mind sharpened by experience, Maiwase Chola is well on her way.
