22 Years. Countless Miles. One Unstoppable Mission.
In the heart of Manyinga District, where the North-Western Province’s terrain transitions from thick forest to unforgiving, sandy trails, the distant roar of a motorcycle isn’t just noise. To the children of these remote villages, it is the sound of hope arriving.
At the handlebars is Everess Mapulanga, a Community Development Worker for World Vision Zambia whose career is a masterclass in resilience. For 22 years, Everess has redefined the boundaries of service, proving that a woman’s place isn’t just in the community, it’s at the forefront of its transformation.
Breaking the Mold
Everess didn’t start her journey with an engine and a helmet. Her mission began in 1994 in the heat of Sinazongwe District, Southern Province. Back then, her "company vehicle" was a simple bicycle.
“I used to cycle over 41 kilometres in very bad terrain,” she says. “Some men failed to cross the streams that I used to cross. But God saw me through.”
Today, she has traded the pedals for a motorcycle, a shift that raised more than a few eyebrows in a society where riding is often viewed as a "man’s job." Everess smiles at the memory of those early doubters.
“I never thought that I would ride a motorcycle, but it is my best friend. People say women cannot ride, but everything is possible as long as you are motivated to achieve your goals.”
Beyond the Horizon
For Everess, the "extra mile" isn't a metaphor—it is a daily reality. She navigates rugged trails that would turn back the most seasoned travelers, all to ensure that a child in a cut-off village receives healthcare or that a local school has the support it needs. She is the conduit through which life-changing interventions flow.
Why does she keep going after more than two decades? The answer is etched in the faces of the children she serves.
“Seeing the vast systemic challenges affecting children keeps me wanting to do more,” Everess explains. It is a hunger for justice that 22 years of dust and distance haven't been able to dim.
A Call to Unity
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, Everess stands as a testament to what happens when faith meets grit. Her message to other women is one of radical solidarity rather than competition.
“I am appealing to women out there to support each other for us to develop,” she says. “I believe God gives the strength and power to do whatever I put my mind to. God is faithful because through Him all things are possible.”
Everess Mapulanga isn't just a rider; she is a trailblazer. In every kilometer she covers, she isn't just delivering a service—she is shattering a stereotype and paving a smoother path for the next generation of girls to follow.