Colgate has been a Zambian household staple for decades. But for over 90 families, it has become something a little more: a scholarship for a child or to further one’s studies, a laptop or tablet for a student, or a voucher that stretches the monthly grocery budget a little further. Through the Colgate Scholarship Campaign,

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Colgate has been a Zambian household staple for decades. But for over 90 families, it has become something a little more: a scholarship for a child or to further one’s studies, a laptop or tablet for a student, or a voucher that stretches the monthly grocery budget a little further. Through the Colgate Scholarship Campaign, ZMW 800,000 in scholarships and prizes is finding its way into homes from Chililabombwe to Lusaka, putting smiles on winners.

Behind every winner is a story of gratitude, a sigh of relief, and benevolence; the kind that cushions a family’s pocket for the things that truly matter. School fees are paid. Textbooks bought. A school term’s worry lifted. For parents and guardians juggling the everyday pressures of raising and educating children, these prizes offer a real breathing room and a brighter outlook for the young learners in their care.

A neighbour’s kindness

When Kitwe-based teacher and mother of five Catherine Mutale learned she had won a ZMW 15,000 scholarship, she made the choice to pass on the kindness and donate the full amount to a young learner at Greenview Academy, from her neighbourhood.

“Light bulbs, life-changing calls, and a father’s heart“

Caleb Milunga, a lifelong Colgate user, was pleasantly surprised to be among the winners: “When I was told that I won this scholarship… I was amazed. It was a beautiful moment,” he said.  

For Caleb, the relief is immediate and concrete. The ZMW 15,000 scholarship is for his daughter, who is in grade five. “It will help me a lot. I’ll be relieved for two terms,” he said.

Evaristo Banda walked into the Kabulonga Shoprite store to buy light bulbs for his home. He walked out as a scholarship winner.

“I’ve entered competitions a lot of times, and most of the time I do not win,” he said. When the call finally came through, after several missed attempts while he was at work, he could hardly believe it. “It was only around lunchtime when I said, okay, I’ll just pick up the call. That’s when I was told I’d won 15,000.”

Evaristo’s prize is going to his son in grade one, and the relief stretches further than one set of school fees. “I’ll be able to channel resources towards other things, probably get some textbooks for the other kids. They’ll also benefit because there’ll be some saving from the fees we were supposed to pay next term.”

Tablets, dreams, and a Sunday shopping trip

The campaign’s prizes extend beyond scholarships. Tehilah Phiri, a nineteen-year-old first-year medical student, won a tablet that will become central to her studies as she describes herself as a very visual learner. “When I got the news, I needed to sit down,” she recalled with a glowing smile and hearty laugh.  

One of her fondest memories of Colgate is teaching her younger sibling how to brush properly, bringing the campaign’s oral health mission full circle.

Purity Mumba learned about the promotion on a Sunday afternoon after church, bought Colgate with her family that same day, and received the winning call by Wednesday. “I’m very grateful and happy,” she said. Her encouragement to others is direct: “Buy your products from any Shoprite, enter the draw, and you may just be as lucky as I am today.”

A brighter future, one smile at a time

“Through our partnership with Shoprite Supermarkets, we embarked on a nationwide campaign that turns everyday toothpaste into opportunities for Zambian children to stay in school through a share of scholarships and prizes worth a total of 800,000 Kwacha. The stories that have emerged from this have been heartwarming and reflect Colgate’s broader commitment to healthier, more sustainable communities where “Everyone Deserves A Future To Smile About,” said Chaile Kapambwe, Customer Development Team leader, Colgate-Palmolive Zambia.

The Scholarship Campaign is part of Colgate’s long-standing Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF) programme, which has promoted oral health to over 2 billion children and families in more than 100 countries and 40 languages since 1991. In Zambia, BSBF has reached 7 million children through school and community programmes that teach oral health and handwashing, helping them build lifelong healthy habits.  

The campaign is ongoing, with the last day for entries on 04 October 2026. To participate, buy any 2 participating Colgate packs from any Shoprite store, scan the Colgate QR code in-store, or WhatsApp+260 772 052 195 and follow the steps on WhatsApp for a chance to win your share of 800 000 Kwacha in scholarships and weekly prizes. Winners will be contacted directly and invited to nominate a student beneficiary.

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