ARAKAN Girls Secondary School in Lusaka is mourning the sudden and unexpected death of a female learner, Isabel Funinya who died yesterday.
According to information obtained by Kalemba, Isabel, a Grade 11 pupil took her own life, reportedly believing that her illness was placing a financial burden on her father.
Isabel, who has been quietly battling a stomach tumour, which was growing undetected and causing serious internal complications, reportedly consumed Doom insecticide at her home in Lusaka’s Chilenje area.
Before her death, the pupil sent a message to a close friend where she revealed the pressure she felt on her family due to her illness and the medical bills she required.
She expressed hopelessness saying she wanted to enjoy the little time she had left with while burdening no one.
“I have been a burden to my parents, they don’t need to tell me or show me, I can just see it my dad has been trying to finish his house but because I’m always needing medical attention,” Isabel wrote to her close friend.
Her concern over being a financial burden is believed to have influenced her decision to end her life.
The school head teacher Lieutenant Colonel Francis Kunda stated that it is unfortunate that such a promising young girl met her fate in this way.
“As a school, we have been doing quite a lot in terms of counselling. We have engaged the chaplains because our school is army-headed,” he said.
Lt col Kunda explained that the school had multiple engagements with students this year, including two sessions to specifically encourage pupils to open up about their challenges.
He also meets the children personally every two weeks during assembly to discuss life issues and offer guidance.
“But to have our girl meet her fate this way is unfortunate. We are really pleading as a school. However, we will continue to counsel and guide our children so that this vice of suicide should not be allowed to engulf our school in the manner it has done,” Lt col Kunda told #Kalemba.
The Arakan Girls Secondary School community continues to mourn the loss of a promising pupil whose potential was cut short.
By George Musonda
Kalemba November 18, 2025
