The Burley Rotary Club held its first ever SHARK POND EVENT on May 5, 2026. Two impoverished entrepreneurs from Zambia, Africa pitched their business ideas to Rotarians Stephanie Curtis, Brock Butters, Mikaila Mastrofini, and Chester Bradshaw while other club members looked on in anxious anticipation. The well-prepared team of sharks was appointed by their club to be the ‘judges’ for the service project. The event was held virtually during a regular club meeting of the Burley Rotary Club.
The first contestant was Chibulu Kanyesha, owner of KAY’S CHICKENS, a poultry enterprise located in Luanshya, Zambia. Charity (which is Kanyesha’s nickname) is 25 years old and is the 4th child in her family. She provides economic support for her widowed mother who is suffering from cancer, as well as other family members. Charity learned about the poultry business from a relative who taught her how to raise and sell chickens.
The second contestant was Sydney Ngambi, an automotive body and fender man from Ndola, Zambia and owner of SIDO PANEL BEATING AND SPRAY PAINTING. Sydney was in search of capital to upgrade his body shop equipment. He needs to purchase a reliable air compressor to help his growing paint and body business flourish.
The competition was tight and both contestants presented compelling business proposals. But in the end the ‘Sharks’ from Burley picked Charity to be their club’s business partner. Burley Rotarians made a capital investment of $1,000 into Kay’s Chickens and they hope their investment will pay big dividends to this deserving young woman. Kanyesha’s smile at the end of the show said it all! “Thank you, my sponsors!” She said “I will do my very best”.
As runner up, Sydney will have the opportunity to pitch again at a future shark pond service project event. He is determined to lift his business to a higher level of excellence and to become a dominant player in the competitive world of auto repair.
Shark Pond is an international service project available to ALL Rotary Clubs everywhere. The project helps aspiring but impoverished African entrepreneurs with good business ideas get access to micro funding in order to grow their way out of poverty.
Shark Pond service projects are produced in conjunction with Entrapov and D5400 Global Service eClub. To learn more about Shark Pond, please reach out to Ben Davidson (208) 244-4786, president of the D5400’s Global Service eClub. Ben will be happy to visit YOUR club and show you how for $1,000 you can change someone’s life in Africa forever.
