The Impact of Kindness: Joseph’s Journey with Be Kind

“I grew up in an environment where I saw both kindness and hatred coexist,” Joseph shared. “I was helped by people I didn’t even know, and as I struggled with how I could repay them, I realised I had nothing to offer at the time. Yet, their kindness planted a seed in me—a seed that would grow into my mission to spread kindness to others.”

Joseph Tembo’s journey to founding the Be Kind organisation is a story of compassion, faith, and a deep desire to make a positive impact on his community. His life has been shaped by both kindness and adversity, and it is this unique combination that inspired him to give back in meaningful ways.

I am especially thankful to African Christian College for providing me with an education that has allowed me to pass on that kindness in meaningful ways.

Joseph Tembo, Alumna

Joseph’s journey took a transformative turn while he was a student at African Christian College. In 2020, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he started offering haircuts to fellow students for extra cash. When the pandemic forced a shift to online studies and students returned home, Joseph turned this side hustle into a small business, using the money he earned to buy data bundles and stay connected.
However, another experience changed his perspective.

A friend who had been injured in an accident called Joseph to come and shave him at the hospital. When Joseph arrived, word spread quickly, and he ended up shaving more than 20 patients in a single ward. The next day, he was invited back to the hospital to continue offering free haircuts to patients. Over the course of several visits, Joseph shaved nearly 50 patients, all for free. “In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. This is how I could show kindness to others,” he recalled.

This experience sparked a commitment in Joseph to give back to his community through acts of kindness. Encouraged by the impact of his initiative, Joseph began offering free haircuts to orphanages and disability institutions. The positive feedback and deep sense of fulfilment he received made him realise the need to formalise his efforts . . . and Be Kind was born.

While still a student, Joseph used his organisation as a practical example in his coursework. He applied the marketing, planning, and fund development skills he was learning directly to his organisation. “Everything I was studying aligned perfectly with my vision for Be Kind,” he said. He created a Facebook page, adopted the motto “Teaching Kindness Through Action,” and drafted proposals to seek funding and support for the organisation.

Upon returning to campus in 2023 to complete his degree, Joseph’s vision for Be Kind began to take shape more clearly. After graduation in 2024, he shared the mission of his organisation with people in Zambia and internationally. Through these connections, Joseph was able to secure donations of t-shirts, hair clippers, and, most importantly, prayers. A pastor from the Church of Christ and contributions from his support group helped him to begin the process of officially registering the organisation.

In addition to running Be Kind, Joseph’s work has opened doors to further his career. As a graduate with a Bachelor of Theology (BTh) in Counselling, Joseph was invited to Smiling Kids Zambia, where he taught the staff about mental health issues. “With the alarming rise in suicide cases in Zambia, I felt compelled to add a mental health program to the institution. I wanted to combine my counselling background with my passion for making a difference,” he explained.

Joseph reflected, “I am incredibly grateful for every act of kindness I’ve received in my life. The more I act with kindness towards others, the more I see kindness returned to me. “I am especially thankful to African Christian College for providing me with an education that has allowed me to pass on that kindness in meaningful ways.”

Through Be Kind, Joseph Tembo has not only honoured the kindness he has received but is now creating a legacy of compassion and service that will continue to impact many lives for years to come. His story is a reminder that one act of kindness can spark a movement and change the world.