YLP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• It takes roughly eighteen months from the start of the application process until you, hopefully, go to university. 

2. What does the programme involve?

• The Our Moon Young Leaders Programme is an intensive 18-month residential program designed to empower brilliant but financially disadvantaged Zambian youth. The program focuses on comprehensive personal and academic development with several key components. 
• For more information, please visit, ourmoon.org.uk and navigate to 'Our Programs' and then Young Leaders' Program.

3. Do you guarantee we will get a place at university?

• No, we don’t guarantee it. You will have to put in a lot of effort to the application process. All fully funded opportunities are very competitive. We will guide your applications, check all your essays and help you through the financial aid process. To date, we have had a 100% success rate.

• We have a full range of outstanding universities including US Ivy Leagues, Oxford University (PhD and Master’s level only), top US liberal arts colleges, some incredible universities in Africa and one in India; plus we are always looking at further opportunities.  

• During Our Moon’s programme, you will explore your interests through research and projects. These will help to inform your choices. We will also work with you to help identify your interests based on what challenges you would like to work on solving. Come with an open mind about what you want to study.  

• In your first year, you will spend about five months in total at Our Moon and two to three months doing projects at home.  

• We expect YLP 2025-26 to start around 20 March in Chibombo. 

• In 2019, we acquired five hectares of land from the region’s chief, Chief Liteta. So far, we’ve developed two hectares, and have plans to expand our centre to accommodate more students and generate more employment in the area.
• Our land is in Central Province. We are in Chibombo District, in a village called Mbulo-Chipansha.
• The land we have developed comprises four thatched rooms and a shelter that double up as makeshift classrooms and office space. There’s a dining area replete with a fully functional kitchen, a garden and small wooded area for relaxation. Small huts where students sleep are dotted around the land along with simple toilets and bathing cubicles.
• Girls have a separate compound from the boys.
• Our biggest project at the moment is the completion of our largest building, the Learning Forum. This dedicated learning space will house two large classrooms which will include a computer lab and a library, as well as smaller classrooms dedicated to group work and single pods for individual study.
• We are lucky that a school has donated Chromebooks to us, so every student gets to develop their IT skills and has individual access to a Chromebook while with us. 

• We have a solar system which includes lights in each room, and sockets in the classrooms. We have a backup generator for cloudy days. We also have fridges and freezers for storing food. Being off-grid has really helped us during this very difficult time.
• We have Starlink internet. It tends to be much more reliable than using regular WiFi. 

• 6-8 points in the best six subjects including English and Mathematics.
• You must come from a financially needy family. In practice, this means your parents/guardians wouldn’t be able to afford for you to go to university without financial support.
• You need to demonstrate leadership skills and teamwork.
• You must want to use your education to help solve some of the challenges you see around you.
• You must understand and want to fully participate in our Young Leaders Programme.
• Then you must be outstanding in the whole application process.

• Mercy, one of our second-year students, has made a video and so has her mum (they are in the application portal). Please show these videos and our website (www.ourmoon.org.uk) to your parents. 

There are four distinct parts to our application to the Young Leaders Programme. You have to complete one part before you can go on to the next.

• Part 1: Registration of Interest – deadline 6 February
• Part 2: Essays and family’s financial information – deadline 11 February
• Part 3: Community action – deadline 28 February
• Part 4: 32 shortlisted applicants – 16 girls and 16 boys – will be invited to our campus for interviews, writing practice and to get to know us – part 4 will take part before 3 and 12 March. 

13. How do I complete Part 1?

• Please follow the instructions precisely as they are on your form. It is important you use the information on your NRC even if it contradicts what you know to be correct. There is space for you to advise us of any errors and to give your preferred name. If you don’t have an NRC, you will need to get one urgently, as you will need to upload it in Part 2.
• All questions are compulsory so please complete everything accurately. Failure to do so will cause us to reject your application.
• Please provide the breakdown of your grade 12 results – all subjects taken and attach your results slip or a copy of your phone confirmation. You will need to provide hard proof if you are invited to Our Moon for interviews.
• For the questions about how you heard about Our Moon, it is important you give us as much information as possible about how you found out. If someone has recommended you, then it gives us the chance to go back to them to clarify parts of your application as part of our holistic assessment of you.
• If any of your friends or family have previously attended a programme by Our Moon, it is also important you state who they are.
• We want to know if you have applied for or are participating in any other university access type programmes. Please list all that apply.
• We would like to know if any of your family members have studied abroad or if they applying to do so. Please specify the person and your relationship to them.
• Then we have a short 200-250 word essay for you to tell us why you are hoping your application will be successful. Please ensure you have read through our website before you write this essay and have understood our programme and what you are applying for. Make sure this is written in your best English. It is good practice to get a friend to check it before you submit it.
• Make sure you read the declaration of interest, tick all that are applicable and sign. We would also like one of your parents to sign to confirm they are happy you are applying. The easiest way for them to sign is for you to take a photo of their signature or thumbprint and upload it.

• Then you can submit it before 6 February at 23:59.

14. What is part 2?

Part 2 comprises four sections:

1. Uploading your NRC

2. Producing your household’s income and expenditure. Please ensure you obtain this information from your family/guardians.

3. Writing two essays. The first one is about your unique story and the second one is about a challenge you see around you and how you want to solve it.

• Again with the essays, please ask a friend or someone you know with good English, to read through your essays and suggest changes. Then you should incorporate their comments.
4. Then you can submit by 11 February at 23:59.

15. What is Part 3? 

• Part 3 will be a guided activity which we will expect you to carry out and write up. Details will be released on 12 February. Part 3 will need to be completed by 28 February at 23:59. 

16. What is Part 4?

• Based on Parts 1 and 3 of your applications, we will select 32 students to come to an Our Moon BootCamp.
• We will shortlist 16 boys and 16 girls. Boys will be invited to attend separate bootcamps from the girls to make sure we consider the strengths of each group and select a gender balance. We will select eight boys and eight girls to complete our programme.
• You will be given a variety of tasks to complete during the bootcamp and be have at least two interviews each. You will be evaluated on your overall performance and whether we feel Our Moon will make a big impact on you. 

17. Where can I find out more information about Our Moon?

• Our website is a good place to find out more information: www.ourmoon.org.uk. You might find our students’ blogs very interesting.

• We also have our annual report which you can read: https://www.ourmoon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Copy-of-Our-Moon-Education-Annual-Report-and-Financial-Statements-31.12.23-SIGNED.pdf
• You can also find us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

18. Do you offer scholarship opportunities?

• Yes, Our Moon offers an eighteen-month scholarship called the Young Leaders Program (YLP). However, it does not offer university scholarships the best it can do is connect you and allow you to apply.