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US-BASED urban contemporary singer, Julian King, is sponsoring 10 less privileged learners from Chitungwiza with school fees to enable them to realise their dreams.
The singer said his heart bled for the financially disadvantaged, but academically gifted pupils.
In an interview, the “One by One” hit-maker, born Julian Lennon Kanombirira, said he will go out of his way to change many lives through his Julian King Foundation.
“I was inspired to come up with the Julian King Foundation because I grew up an orphan and was taken care of by family and friends. My school fees were paid for by others too.
“Education gave me a good foundation and I want to give others the same opportunity I got,” said the singer from his base.
Outlining his vision, the songwriter said he was determined to invest in young minds.
“My vision is to grow and help more students who will be influential members in society and beacons of hope to their families. I chose to empower learners in Chitungwiza because I was born at Seke clinic. I was born there but grew up in Highfield, Harare and later Chinhoyi and Mutoko.
“My guardians took good care of me, but at some point in life, there were times when I did not know where my school fees for the next term or semester would come from.
“Each time I think of that, I get emotional because it is not easy being orphaned.”
King, who is famed for his role as a motivational speaker and counsellor, reckons that models should play their role in changing lives.
He, however, vowed to remain humble and change many lives.
“When fans support the right people, the benefits come right back to them.
“I do not necessarily view myself by that label.
“I am just a young man who loves making music and I am a product of the families that raised me, my church teachings and lessons from life,” he said.
Like most of his peers, Julian King does not regret his move to come up with a foundation which is now empowering less privileged learners.
“At some point, strangers believed in me and invested in my education and look how it turned out. I want it to be like that for others too.
“When God looks at what we did, at least I will have something to point to.
“The smiles on those kids’ and parents’ faces and the blessings they speak for me, nothing can be better than that,” he added.
Julian King has joined the elite league of philanthropists who are changing many lives.
Superstars Alick Macheso and Jah Prayzah are some of the celebrities who are empowering less privileged kids to realise their potential.
Macheso, who was raised by a single mother, has been advocating for the empowerment of young minds.
This is the same vision that Julian King has taken as he seeks to touch the lives of youngsters in Chitungwiza.
Online Reporter