But this time the suitcase wouldn’t contain her clothes and sentimental trinkets. Instead, it would contain paperwork and equipment Lushomo would need for her internship at one of New Zealand’s leading law firms, Chapman Tripp.
“That moment was quite surreal, but also a very meaningful reminder about what life is like for an immigrant… packing up a small part of your life into a suitcase,” said Lushomo.
Now almost 21, Lushomo was head girl at Sacred Heart Girls’ College in 2018 and the first head girl of African descent at the school.
But that wasn’t her only leadership role in the school. She participated in many parts of school life, including the Student Council, regularly giving back to her school and wider community along the way.
And she’s continuing that life of servant leadership at Waikato University where she’s studying towards a conjoint Bachelor of Law with Honours and Bachelor of Business majoring in finance.
Lushomo was head girl at Sacred Heart Girls’ College in 2018 and the first head girl of African descent at the school. But that wasn’t her only leadership role in the school. She participated in many parts of school life, including the Student Council, regularly giving back to her school and wider community along the way.
Continuing Leadership
This year Lushomo is the Waikato Student Union vice-president and in that capacity she chairs Te Pou Whirinaki (The Student Advisory Council). She is also on various committees such as the Academic Board, Student Services Governance Committee, and the Special Consideration Committee.
Talking with Lushomo you get the distinct impression she’s a busy, but organised young woman. And she doesn’t say yes to everything; rather, she’s careful about what commitments she takes on.
“Everything I do comes back to my why and once you figure out your why, it makes it so much easier. I’m very selective about organisations I choose to work with because if the people in those places and the organisation itself doesn’t align with my values I don’t want to invest my time.
Lushomo figured out her ‘why’ early on – her family.
“Coming from a Zambian home, you’re part of this huge ‘village’ or community. There’s a concept there… ‘I am because we are’. Basically it means that you have this whole supportive village behind you – you are never doing something on your own. You never feel overwhelmed because of all the love and support you have.”
That love and support has been provided in spades by Lushomo’s parents and her sisters, Chipego and Silika who now attend Sacred Heart too.
In every person you meet you have the ability to inspire them to be a better person. I’m a strong believer in authenticity — there is so much power in that.
Keys to Success
“I made the decision to stay living at home when I went to uni… you can’t be working hard for the family you don’t see. And I think staying home has been one of the biggest keys to success. Coming home to home cooked meals after long days, especially at the end of the semester when you’re really tired… or my sisters saying they’ve done the dishes because they know I have assignments to go and work on. That love and support means everything to me.”
But it’s also what Lushomo gives back too. She helps a lot at home, cooking for large, joyful gatherings the family regularly hosts at their Whatawhata home where there’s lots of food, laughter, singing and dancing. And driving her sisters to school most mornings, “with all of us singing Beyonce really loudly as we go”.
And while Lushomo has a full diary, she knows that taking care of herself is important so you can give the best of yourself.
“I make time to work out at CrossFit in the morning. Sometimes I want to change the world, and other times I just need to rest!” she laughs.
But then, Lushomo turns serious. She begins talking about leadership and changing the world. And when she does, she doesn’t talk about household names.
“The greatest leaders in my life…those who’ve inspired me the most… they are my mum, my grandmas. They have lived a very simple life, but they’ve made a difference to the people around them. In every person you meet you have the ability to inspire them to be a better person. I’m a strong believer in authenticity – there is so much power in that.”