MANY know him as Remmy Kangwa, the humanitarian who has built a name for himself by helping vulnerable people across Zambia through social media and direct community support.
But what many people may not know is that he owes his life and values to ordinary strangers who chose to extend a helping hand when he needed it most.
Born and raised in Mulenga Sunkutu Village in the rural stretches of Kanchibiya District, Kangwa grew up in a family that valued hard work.
His father, a voluntary community health officer who later became a village headman, instilled the importance of generosity by building houses for travellers and strangers passing through.
Kangwa began his education at Chitondwe Community School before moving on to sit his Grade seven exams at Kantimba Primary School.
At just 14 years old, he made a life-changing decision to leave his parents’ home and attend a school where he could sit for his exams, often renting small rooms or staying with family friends.
“From the age of 14, I had to find ways to survive on my own. Those years taught me humility, gratitude and resilience,” Kangwa told Kalemba in an interview.
When he arrived at a new school with no relatives nearby, a teacher offered him a place to stay and supported his education.
Years later, another stranger helped him obtain a passport when he had no one to recommend him.
“That teacher and the stranger who helped me later, showed me that even small gestures can completely change someone’s life,” he said.
Kangwa’s journey into helping others took a digital turn when he discovered social media where he started a Facebook page, sharing personal insights and community news like any ordinary person.
His following surged between 2020 and 2021.
“When I saw that my page had a good following, I realised I could use it to do something meaningful,” he said.
Kangwa recalled a defining moment when he helped a cancer patient in Kabwe who needed funds for treatment after sharing her story on his page, which quickly went viral and eventually reached the late president Edgar Lungu, who pledged support.
“That moment validated people’s trust in me and encouraged more strangers to contribute. It was the first time I truly saw how social media could amplify kindness,” he said.
Today, Kangwa continues his humanitarian work across Zambia, carrying the lessons of generosity he learned from strangers into every initiative.
“You can find a million reasons to go the wrong way, or you can find a million reasons to do something great. The choice is yours,” said Kangwa.
By Haggai Hamunyemba
Kalemba March 16, 2026
