Mercy Mwale lived in Kanyama with her mother and father. She comes from a family of 4 and she' a first born. In 1999 she lost her mother when she was 17 years. In 2001 she lost her father and failed to continue with her education. She ended in Grade nine. In 2002 she was met by a care giver who was identifying Orphans and Vulnerable girls in the locality where she resided. The care giver narrated the Umoyo programme to her and after realizing what the project stood for, she quickly accepted and praised God for the gesture.
Mercy was finally enrolled for 2002/2003 girls intake at Umoyo. She completed her one year residential course where she acquired skills in agriculture, Knitting Catering, Literacy & numeric, tailoring and HIV/AIDS prevention programe. After graduating from Umoyo she went for further training at Kanyama Youth center. This is where she specialized in catering. Umoyo again sponsored her tuition fees for six months.
After completing her further training, she got her first employment with Zebra Catering and worked for One year. She later joined on contract to work with Jubilee Chemist at a dispensary.
In 2005 she got married and started saving to start her own business. In 2008 she decided to open a road restaurant but faced problems with the local authorities who were involved in eradicating street vending.
In 2009 she managed to secure a market stall at City Market where she is currently conducting her business. She describes her business as stable. She is able to contribute to family household income and educate her children.
Today she says Umoyo has become part of her family as it opened up her life after being stigmatized through the loss of both parents. They hardly had a meal per day and life became meaningless.
She urged Umoyo to continue the good works despite the changing economic environment as this goes a long way to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS. She reiterated that life after Umoyo is not easy as the economic environment is very harsh which makes it difficult for a fresh graduate to break through. She has said that start-up capital is a vital support for fresh graduates if they are to make it in life. She concluded by thanking Kara Counselling, the cooperating donors Stephen Lewis Foundation and Dan Church Aid for the valuable support they rendered and continue to assist Umoyo in changing lives of orphans and vulnerable girls in Zambia.