Zoey's Korner

November is Adoption Awareness Month!

In the last episode, I sat down with a Zambian mom who opened up about her personal journey of adopting a child. This time, I am with a social worker, Tamara Mwale, who brings us into the world of adoption from a professional perspective.

Together, we unpack what the adoption process in Zambia actually looks like, from the screening and home assessments to the emotional and legal steps involved. Tamara also helps us understand how children end up in care facilities in the first place, shedding light on the realities behind the statistics and the stories we rarely get to hear.

We also dive into fostering. Yup, you can foster in Zambia! We find out what it means, why it's so needed in Zambia, and how ordinary families can step into the gap for vulnerable children. Whether you're considering adoption, curious about the system, or simply want to understand how to support children in need, this episode will give you clarity, empathy, and a deeper appreciation for the work happening behind the scenes.

If you're interested in more information on fostering and adoption in Zambia, visit:

Alliance for Children Everywhere Zambia:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Di9S8FH4X/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.caczambia.org

Ministry of Community Development and Social Services:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17SyPvEJjP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.mcdsw.gov.zm

Other Resources:

Creating a family podcast: https://www.CreatingaFamily.org

NCFA Short Courcess: https://adoptioncouncil.org/courses/

Follow Us on the socials:

• TikTok: @zoeys.korner
• Instagram: @zoeys.korner or @misskonie25

November is Adoption Awareness Month, a time to celebrate families built through love and to share the beautiful, sometimes challenging, journeys behind adoption. In this episode, I sit down with a Zambian mom who opened her heart and home through adoption. She shares what inspired her decision, the joys and lessons along the way, and how adoption has shaped her family and faith.

Whether you're considering adoption, know someone who has adopted, or simply want to understand the beauty of family beyond biology, this heartfelt conversation will touch your soul and broaden your perspective on what it means to belong.

Creating a family podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@CreatingaFamily

Follow Us on the socials:

• TikTok: @zoeys.korner
• Instagram: @zoeys.korner or @misskonie25

It's my BIRTHDAY y'all!! Happiest Birthday to me!

I am such a birthday person and I love to celebrate! I have never done a birthday episode so I thought "Why not?" Join me as I jump into my final year of my 20's!

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• TikTok: @zoeys.korner
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John 15:15 tells us:

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

I sat down with my new friends Melanie and Glystin who I met on a mission trip this past July to find out what it means to be a friend of God. I pray this encourages you.

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• TikTok: @zoeys.korner
• Instagram: @zoeys.korner 
• Instagram: @melmaldoo
• Instagram: @glystinburnett

"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." - Marcus Aurelius.

During the month of July 2025, I volunteered with Africa Freedom Mission. An organisation passionate about Ministry and Africa. I was privileged enough to have Brooklyn on my team, and after being inspired by hearing a bit of her story, asked her to come to share what God has been working on in her heart. Brooklyn gave insight to her journey on how she has been working on her perspective for the past 2 years as well as her journey on choosing faith over fear.

Thank you Brooklyn for coming all this way to love on me and my people in Lusaka, Zambia!

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• Instagram: @zoeys.korner
• TikTok: @zoeys.korner
• Brooklyn Insta: @_bdouglass

We all love it when we ask God, our parents, friends or family for something and they give us a supportive and enthusiastic YES! However, when we are told NO, I am pretty sure we try to negotiate that no into a yes. I am one of those who are pretty good at negotiating and justifying my way into a yes. But this time, with God, not even my God-given strong willed personally could change His answer. What I asked for was harmless (or so I thought), but God's NO is the reason why I am still here and alive today. Grab your tea, it's storytime!

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• TikTok: @zoeys.korner
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The "Butterfly effect" has been trending on TikTok and inspired this episode of Kredo Korner. In this episode, I share my heart on how God used a high school bully, to ultimately give me the experience of a lifetime in Brazil 12 years later! Bully and Brazil? How does that happen?! I know, CRAZY right? But you know who didn't think that was crazy? God! He saw what I couldn't see and turned my sadness into gladness in a way I would not have ever imagined.

Kredo: a guiding belief or set of beliefs that strongly influence someone's actions or values.

Key Scriptures:

Romans 8:28

Genesis 50:20 NIV

Isaiah 55:8-9

Song: He Holds it all together https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSMJa5tImRU

Whatever you may be going through, look at your life through heaven's eyes.

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• TikTok: @zoeys.korner
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In this episode, I reflect on the beautiful intersection of purpose and career, and how God's grace allowed me to embrace both. I share my journey of choosing a life of meaning, rooted in the belief that we are called to live purposefully and fully. If you've ever wondered whether you can live a life that honours both your calling and your career, this one's for you.

Please remember to subscribe and follow me on the socials:

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Happy World Sickle Cell Day!

In Part 2 of this special Sickle Cell Awareness Month series, Vernon dives deeper into his journey, this time sharing about his love life, navigating the healthcare system and more, while living with sickle cell.

From the complexities of building romantic relationships when managing a chronic pain, to experiences with medical personnel that have shaped his views and advocacy, Vernon brings back his honesty, vulnerability, and resilience to the conversation. He sheds light on what support truly looks like from loved ones, carers and from the medical community, and how empathy can change everything.

Today, and every day, we raise our voices for better care, more awareness, and deeper compassion. If Vernon's story inspired you or reminded you of someone you know, please share this episode. Let's keep the conversation going.

Some Available Resources include:

• https://www.sc101.org/
• https://www.cdc.gov/sickle-cell/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@beingsickled/

Vernon On the Socials

• LinkedIn: https://zm.linkedin.com/in/vernon-mainza-ushibantu-111898a8
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vernonushibantu/

Follow Us on the socials:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/zoeys.korner 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/zoeys.korner 

June is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and I thought, "What better time to dedicate my June episodes to sharing stories that spread awareness and encouragement to people in my community?"

This month, I'm honoured to bring you a special 2-part series featuring my friend Vernon, who bravely shares his personal journey living with sickle cell. In these heartfelt conversations, Vernon opens up about the daily challenges, resilience, and hope that define his life with this condition. Whether you're living with sickle cell, know someone who is, treat patients with it or simply want to learn more, this series is a powerful reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and storytelling for awareness.

Some Available Resources include:

• https://www.sc101.org/
• https://www.cdc.gov/sickle-cell/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@beingsickled/

Vernon On the Socials

• LinkedIn: https://zm.linkedin.com/in/vernon-mainza-ushibantu-111898a8
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vernonushibantu/

Follow Us on the socials:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/zoeys.korner 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/zoeys.korner