About the Author: My name is Bwalya Jacob Kangwa, a vibrant, young man who is eager to give hope and encouragement to anyone who may feel hopeless and discouraged because of the challenges that come with stuttering. As a person with stuttering, I understand the challenges that people facing this speech impediment go through. My aim is making people with stuttering feel comfortable about themselves and help them realize other skills and talents that they possess therefore enabling them to look at life in a positive perspective. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance, which I acquired from the Copperbelt University. I am currently working for an insurance company. I am a member of the Stuttering Association of Zambia, I wish to contribute to the vision of the association. As an association, we are working hard to conduct sensitization about the subject and create an environment where a person with a stutter feels free to speak without the fear of being labelled as less intelligent and abnormal.

I have perceived that, in Zambia, many people with a stutter fear to come out openly and talk about it. There is less sensitization about stuttering in the country and because of that, people have come up with misconceptions about the subject. These misconceptions have led some to think that a person with a stutter is abnormal, less intelligent e.t.c. This has led to a situation where a person with a  stammer tries to avoid talking, especially in public gatherings, for fear of being hurled at as abnormal.

As a person with a stutter, I strongly feel, my voice is as important as that of a person with no stutter. A person with a stutter deserves to have their voice heard as any other person is. 

The Stuttering Association of Zambia is an organisation in Zambia that aims to bring about sensitization about stuttering hence, eradicating the misconceptions surrounding the issue. The Association at the moment consists of few individuals. The Association has had a few radio programs where the issue of stuttering was discussed. There are things yet to be achieved by the Association, one of which is- creating an environment where a stuttering person feels comfortable to talk without being negatively labelled. This can be achieved through sensitization.

I feel there is some level of stigmatisation in the country. I have seen individuals posting videos of a stuttering person on social media platforms and making fun of it. This is putting ridicule on the stuttering community. A stuttering person is normal just like any other person and they should never be deemed to be less smart. When employers are interviewing a stuttering person for a job, they should see that person as a normal human being- with other skills and capabilities. A stuttering child should feel free to answer questions in a classroom. They should never be made fun of.

We may not be able to cure stuttering in a person but we can definitely do something to create an environment where they are comfortable and free to talk without being seen as abnormal.