Name: Lombe Annie Mwambwa
Age: 25

Currently working for National Organisation of Women in Sport Physical Activity and Recreation (NOWSPAR) as the General Secretary.

Lombe has been involved in the work of the Kicking AIDS Out Network since 2008 and believes that the Kicking AIDS Out Network is noble and it is long term. The Network is driven by passion and hope. Lombe says: "I mean, only people with hope and passion would focus their energies on sport, youth and dealing with something as long term as HIV/AIDS and its effects."

What has the work related to the Kicking AIDS Out Network meant to you personally?

Lombe: "It is has meant developing patience, recognising and drawing on the energies and creativity of the diversity of the network members. It is also about sharing space and time for a common goal. It has meant being open to other people’s perspectives and respecting their experiences and plans. It has also meant taking on an identity- it becomes part of how i describe myself and my organsiation NOWSPAR."

Lombe says she would like to continue being involved in the Kicking AIDS Out Network in the future. She says: "I would like to be involved in research, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation of programmes."

The main advice to youth and members of various organizations in the Network to continue grow and develop towards reaching their goals? Lombe advises to maintain focus but to be creative, and that it is important to explore the variety of options available of achieving the goal. Lombe: "Personal development is imperative. We must not forget to invest in individual and team development as our programmes or organisations grow or else, we will not be relevant to either of them."

What is the most important link between NOWSPAR and Kicking AIDS Out according to you?

Lombe: "The most important link is the dedication to engaging youth in sport. NOWSPAR is the organisation that brings a core focus on women and girls in sport to Kicking AIDS Out. It is the advocacy organisation that says to the world ‘Kicking AIDS Out is a workable concept’. NOWSPAR is also a platform for networking of various organisations under the theme of gender. I see it as a resource for the Network. Kicking AIDS Out is in return a wider platform for NOWSPAR to engage with and the members provide evidence for NOWSPAR’s advocacy on sport."

Lombe has written a poem and an critical article concerning the inequality in sport in media and in general. 

Read "Media bias - a challenge to women in Sport" and  the poem "As I Like It" both written by Lombe.