SLASH THAT DEBT

“This book holds so much history.”

Sometimes, life leads us to unexpected places, shaping us into who we are meant to become.

For many authors, the story behind their words is one of resilience, selfdiscovery, and the desire to uplift and inspire others. **People of Africa** had the privilege of visiting Zambia, where we met Luckson Frackson Mvula, the remarkable author of *Slash That Debt*. Before we explored the insights of his book, Luckson opened about his personal story, a journey as profound as the lessons woven into his writing. For him, *Slash That Debt* is not merely a financial guide; it’s a reflection of his life and the trials that shaped him. “This book holds so much history. I want people to understand the real struggle behind the words,” he shared. Luckson’s story begins in rural Zambia, where hardship was a constant.

After losing his father in 2005, his family faced severe challenges. His mother, now a widow, took on the difficult task of raising Luckson and his elder sister alone. In search of a better future, they moved from Chadiza District to Chipata City, only to find that life in the city wasn’t the solution they had hoped for.

With few opportunities and his mother struggling to find stable work, their situation worsened.

“My mother started borrowing money just to keep us going,” Luckson recalls. Soon, they were trapped in a relentless cycle of debt, borrowing from one person to repay another. The burden weighed heavily on their lives.

“There were days when lenders came to our house, publicly humiliating my mother. It was painful.”

Though just a teenager, Luckson felt the immense pressure on his family. He made the difficult choice to leave school to work, doing odd jobs like gardening and bicycle delivery to help his mother. Despite their efforts, the debt only grew, deepening their d ”There were moments I feared for my mother’s life, wondering if she would return from her desperate attempts to find help,” Luckson reflected. Yet, through it all, he clung to the belief that education was their only way out of the debt trap. “I knew education was my only hope of breaking free.”

With determination, Luckson returned to school, despite financial difficulties. His hard work paid off when he graduated with top marks from Chipata Day Secondary School. However, even in academic success, debt continued to haunt him. ;

“I used all my savings to pay off the loans. When the opportunity came to study medicine at Copper Belt University, I had nothing left.”

Forced to drop out of medical school due to financial constraints, Luckson’s resolve only strengthened. He worked tirelessly to pay off his family’s debts, bit by bit. “I paid off every penny my mother owed. It took years, but I did it. And even when I found myself in debt, I knew I could overcome it.” Luckson’s journey through debt taught him valuable lessons that he now shares in *Slash That Debt*. “This book is both my story and a tool for others,” he explains. “I want to inspire people in difficult financial situations to keep going. I want to offer practical advice to those feeling trapped, like we once did”