A Relentless Mission: Chamba Kaluba’s Journey from Zambia to Global Change-Maker

Graduating from Bates College, Chamba Kaluba—once a Zambian teenager escaping poverty—has dedicated his life to fighting global poverty and illiteracy. From combating HIV/AIDS in Tanzania to helping families in Guatemala’s garbage dumps, Kaluba proves that a single individual’s passion can inspire a worldwide movement to make the world a better place.

The Drive to Make a Difference

Two years ago, Chamba Kaluba, an immigrant from Zambia, was recognized with a “teens who care” award for his dedicated volunteer work in Portland. Tomorrow, Kaluba will reach another major milestone as he graduates from Bates College. While graduation weekend is traditionally a time when many students take a breather and celebrate their accomplishments, Kaluba’s focus remains elsewhere. He hasn’t stopped working to make the world a better place, and his mind never stops seeking new ways to help those in need.

Despite his achievements, Kaluba feels his work has only just begun. “No, no, no. I’m not done,” he emphasizes. He approaches traveling and community service with a constant desire to make a tangible difference and enact real change, noting that he feels he hasn’t fully seen that change realized yet.

A Journey Sparked by the Peace Corps

Kaluba’s own life story is deeply intertwined with the mission of global service. He came to the United States from Zambia as a teenager, a pivotal transition made possible thanks to two Peace Corps volunteers. Having successfully escaped poverty himself, his unwavering mission ever since has been to help other people find their way out of it too.

A Global Footprint of Compassion

Kaluba draws profound energy from his global experiences, stating, “Every time I travel, I get an inspiration. You know, I get inspired. I get motivated to do more”. To date, his extensive volunteer work includes:

• Africa: Working on the ground in Tanzania to fight HIV/AIDS, as well as dedicating time to projects in his native Zambia, Kenya, and South Africa.

• Europe: Traveling extensively all over Europe, including time spent in Germany.

• Central America: Partnering with the Maine-based organization “Safe Passage” in Guatemala.

During his time in Guatemala, Kaluba worked directly with families who live and work in the garbage dump. He actively documents his trips to these impoverished areas—including capturing raw footage of the neighborhoods in Guatemala to show “how life is there”—to highlight both the struggles and the good work being done to help people. He shares this important documentation with the distinct hope that it will motivate others to step up and help too.

An Inspiring Force Among Peers

Kaluba’s drive does not just impact the communities he serves; it deeply affects those around him. His friends describe him as highly persuasive and an incredibly positive person who inherently makes you want to be a better person. Having traveled to many countries, Kaluba does an exceptional job of not only sharing his experiences but also compelling his peers to travel and engage as much as he has. As one friend noted, while the word “inspiring” can sometimes feel cliché, for Kaluba, “he really is”.

Looking to the Future: Education and Action

Even as he graduates college, Kaluba is not stopping his efforts. He has established his own foundation aimed at fighting poverty and illiteracy in Zambia. For those looking to support his cause, links to his foundation’s website have been provided by news outlets on wsh6.com and wlbz2.com.

Looking ahead, his academic and professional goals remain ambitious. Kaluba will be seeking a master’s degree in peace and conflict resolution, with plans to subsequently study international law. Acknowledging the urgency of his mission, Kaluba states, “I’m trying to do a lot in my life. And you know, they say life is too short, you know, to waste your time”.

His relentless pace and dedication have left a lasting impression on everyone who hears his story, to the point where news anchors covering his graduation remarked that Kaluba accomplished more in a single year than they might have done in a decade.