Kim Mukuka OAM says she is motivated to bridge the education gaps across the globe where she can.  

“As a teacher, when I visited Zambia, I was moved when I saw the circumstances that the majority of children had to succumb to every day, and knew I had the skills to be able to do something about it,” she says.  

Kim co-founded Zambia’s Child, a registered Australian charity that aims to educate orphans and vulnerable children and break the cycle of poverty for families in Zambia.  

She has been a teacher for many years, including at Yaginanook School where she is also finance and operations manager.

“What motivates me is simply seeing the joy on the faces of the children we help to educate, and especially seeing the long-term impacts of families as their children become responsible leaders within their own communities,” Kim says.  

“When you nurture the whole child – academically, spiritually, emotionally and physically, the results have the power to not only break the cycle of poverty but to shift communities. Education truly is the hope for the future.”  

For her work, Kim was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community through charitable organisations.  

Despite the award, Kim says she never went about the work to be recognised.  

“But it is an honour to receive such recognition. I believe recognition is important for two reasons,” she explains.  

“Firstly, it gives impetus and motivation to continue with the work, with a renewed sense of passion.  

“Secondly, it gives a platform for people to hear the stories of hope that need to be told, that show how everyday Australians can make a positive life-changing difference in the lives of others who are less fortunate.

“Receiving such recognition validates the work we have been doing for the past 20 years.”