Darwin Chapuswike
L2 Support Engineer | Lusaka Province, Zambia
L2 Support Engineer | Lusaka Province, Zambia
April 21, 2025
Looking back at my journey as an L2 Support Engineer at NetOne Zambia, I often find myself reflecting on the moments that shaped my passion for technology. One such memory takes me back to 2021, during my time at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) in Lusaka, Zambia. It was in NIPA’s computer lab, surrounded by the hum of machines and the focus of my peers, that I began to truly understand the value of hard work and humility in the pursuit of becoming a skilled developer. In this post, I share a raw moment from a technical lab session that became a stepping stone in my coding journey.
In 2021, while pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science at NIPA, I spent countless hours in the computer lab, honing my skills in programming. The photo below captures one of those days a special technical lab session where we were fully immersed in hands-on Android development using Android Studio. I am seen here with my headphones on, likely debugging code or listening to a tutorial, as my classmates worked around me. The lab was a hub of learning, filled with laptops, cables, and the shared energy of aspiring developers.
That day, our lecturer assigned us an interactive task called the "Eat Cookie" activity. The objective was simple yet insightful: create a button that, when clicked, changes a cookie emoji from sad to smiling and displays a toast message saying Cookie eaten on the screen. It was a small exercise, but it taught us the fundamentals of event handling, UI interaction, and Android development. I remember the satisfaction of getting the button to work, seeing the emoji change, and the toast message pop up small victories that fueled my passion for coding.
Those lab sessions at NIPA were more than just coding exercises; they were building blocks for my growth as a developer and problem solver. Every line of code written, every bug fixed, and every success message displayed was a step forward. But beyond the technical skills, these moments taught me the importance of perseverance and humility. The challenges of debugging, the late nights studying, and the collaborative spirit of the lab shaped my perspective reminding me to work hard on my craft, stay consistent, and remain humble, no matter how far I progress in my career.
Now, as an L2 Support Engineer at NetOne, I carry the lessons from NIPA with me. The same dedication I applied to the "Eat Cookie" activity is what I bring to solving complex IT challenges today. Whether I am troubleshooting network issues or configuring systems, I am reminded of the computer lab at NIPA where I learned that growth comes from embracing the process, celebrating small wins, and staying grounded. This throwback is a testament to how foundational experiences shape our journeys, both as professionals and as individuals.
Want to experience a taste of what we worked on at NIPA? I have recreated a simplified version of the "Eat Cookie" activity using JavaScript for you to try right here. Click the button below to change the cookie emoji from sad to smiling and see the message just like we did in Android Studio back in 2021. It is a fun way to get a feel for basic event handling and UI interaction in web development!
This memory from 2021 is a simple reminder to work hard, stay humble, and never stop learning. My time at NIPA, earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, laid the groundwork for my career in tech. From the computer lab in Lusaka to my current role at NetOne, the journey has been one of growth, challenges, and gratitude. I hope this story and the little activity above inspires others to embrace their own coding journeys, to tackle every task with dedication, and to remain humble through every milestone. #WorkHardStayHumble #AndroidStudio #NIPA #ZambiaTech #StudentLife #CodingJourney #Throwback