The first role models...

I find satisfaction in teaching-Tapiwa

It’s October, a number of global and local commemorations has taken place focusing on girls and women. As Malawi we have celebrated the International Day of the girl child, International day of rural women, International world food day with family farming as a theme and locally mother’s day just to mention a few. On top of all the commemorations, October also happens to be a month when the Malawi National Examination Board released the names and results of those who sat for Malawi school certificate Examination (MSCE).Even though Malawi as a nation has a lot of worries on the deteriorating quality of education and the recent released Examination results, we have seen many smiles from successful candidates, we have noted families celebrating their daughters, sons, sisters and brothers who have made it. Many have already started taking the initiatives to encourage the successful candidates to pursue their dreams and achieve great. Having a reason to celebrate, one would not forget to celebrate people like Tapiwa Nsanja, who is among the few qualified teachers striving for quality education for all Malawians.

If you studied in Malawi from standard one, you will definitely agree that teachers are the first role models one will know, more especially if you have never met or seen any other professional in your life. Despite teachers being the first role models to almost every kid, it is almost none of the kids who grow up inspiring to be one. For Tapiwa, her story turns to be different. As a 2002 successful MSCE candidate, young and visionary Tapiwa looked forward to a career in science. 2003 was a year bringing her dream career into existence as Tapiwa was admitted into the University of Malawi to study a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology and Statistics at the Chancellor College in Zomba.

Through her first year of studies, Tapiwa held dreams of being a medical doctor as she felt that was the only way of making science count .As her education journey continued to get deeper, her passion for science kept widening, her medical aspirations began to sink and teaching became her heart’s desire. With every lecture and practical experience came a picture of herself as a teacher. She imagined how she would contribute in imparting knowledge to boys and girls as a teacher. She then found her way into Teaching in 2009. Today, Tapiwa is still that passionate teacher she imagined herself to be. She is currently shaping young girls and boys at Bwaila secondary school with skills and knowledge in science.

“Despite being involved in a number of research projects, I still find satisfaction in teaching. I always look back and value my teachers for making me who I am today. How I wish every young girl and boy would see teaching through my eyes, then we would never see girls dropping out of school, we would never lack trained and qualified teachers who would make Malawian education the best and we would never get disappointing MSCE pass-rates. ” says Tapiwa, a mother of two ,Ellad and Elijah who is also a wife to Lamulo Nsanja. “I always plan carefully, I love my students and I recognise the importance of teacher student relationship in education.” She added.

I Plan carefully-Tapiwa and her students

Facing challenges such as inadequate instruction time, inadequate and poor teaching and learning resources as well as students absence due to various reasons which among others include health problems has not been enough to stop Tapiwa from being her best, some challenges has been a motivation to extending her passion. Tapiwa who is also a Girl Guides leader and a member of the Professional Women’s committee, believes that a health student is as productive as a health teacher. She therefore mobilised a group of likeminded friends under the label “helping hands for healthy Children.” Where she takes her passion beyond the classroom to Kamuzu Central Hospital’s Malnutrition centre to support children affected with Malnutrition with a vision of having health children in schools. Tapiwa has been more than a teacher; she has been an agent of change. With all her initiatives and dedication, am sure we would get a reason to celebrate such women teachers like her as we celebrate the success of our successful MSCE candidates and look forward to a high quality education in Malawi.

NB : This profile is shared for motivational purposes, feel free to use it to motivate young women and girls who you know are still not aware of their potential. If you are looking for mentorship or need more details please contact the blog owner (alibewawo@gmail.com). young women achievers are also welcome to share their profiles and achievements:Are you one or do you know a young woman whose achievements and story will motivate and encourage girls to stay in school? send me an email and the story will be featured here.

#Girlsmustayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

 Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com

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Education,her tool...

She was one of the happiest children in standard five, she knew the joys and passion that flow from the sibling fountain. She was spoiled with bundles of support in all aspects from her parents, three brothers and two sisters as the last born. Little did she know that at age nine death would rob her a father. As if that was not enough, seven months later death was in to grab her mother as well. It was this time that Aggie Gogo Wizi was challenged to be separated from her brothers and sisters for a new home. It was her Uncle's home in Blantyre , Malawi. Despite all the changes that came with Aggie's loss, her uncle made the best guardian and cared the most about her education.

Aggie-My uncle supported my education

As a young girl in a government primary school, Aggie admired going to a boarding school for her secondary education.She worked hard in primary and ended up with frustrations as Njamba secondary school, a half day secondary school in Blantyre became her destined secondary school.She had no choice, she started her secondary education at Njamba.Four years past. It was time to say goodbye to Njamba secondary school. she came up as Njamba's second best student of the year 2004 in the National secondary school exams .Her achievement became a licence authorizing her to compete for a University seat with a pool of other  achievers in the country. Brilliant Aggie made it to University of Malawi.It was a time for her happiness to blossom, unfortunately it didnt, she became more and more Frustrated, all because she was admitted to study a Bachelor of education at Chancellor College. A program she never imagined herself in.She hated every thought of being a teacher, she could picture herself as one poor secondary school teacher after graduating. With every lecture taken at Chancellor College came memories of the terrible nicknames given to her secondary school teachers.Aggie thought she could get her way out of being a poor teacher in years to come. To her, teaching was the worst profession one could only enter at their wits end. She then decided to work extra harder in her first year with the hope of making it into the law school.Sadly, she didn't make it into a law school and you can tell what a disappointment it was.

She then was left with no choice but to keep pursuing her studies in education.Years past,it was 2010 already,she is out of college as a graduate teacher with a major in English. Her posting fell under Njamba, her former secondary school, In no time teaching became a part of her,she developed passion towards teaching as a profession.She was the youngest teacher at Njamba. As a former student at the school, she became a role model to all students in the school. The clock kept ticking,bringing along opportunities for her to grow professionally.It was 2011, a door opened for Aggie to be an assistant lecturer in English and Communication Studies at Catholic University of Malawi. What a challenge it was for 23 year old Aggie to stand in front of students who some looked older than herself physically.Well, she left all fears aside.told herself it was an opportunity to express the richest excellencies that God endowed her. After a year of teaching at Catholic University, she secured a fully-funded scholarship to do her Master Studies in Social Work Studies at UK’s Durham University in 2012. This was just Aggie's perfect study program matching her passion towards uplifting the lives of people, especially those trapped in the pangs of acute poverty and social injustice.

A thought of her childhood and how her uncle came in always push her to reflect on God's faithfulness and how much potential every girl child has if supported in education. "If my uncle never took me and send me to school, I would have become destitute upon the demise of my parents, I would not be the Woman I am today. However, as a Christian, I am always convinced that whomsoever God created and put on earth, is living for a purpose." says Aggie. who strongly believe that no human being is a fluke of nature and that It is not God’s intention to see His people suffering from poverty, exclusion, social injustice and oppression. "I believe all these structural barriers that block people from realizing their potential could be removed." she added. Her dream, is to inspire positive and sustainable breakthroughs in the lives of the hardest to reach Malawians, whose voices are hardly heard by policy makers.

In an effort to realize her dream, in 2013,she founded Klesis Education Initiative, a non profit mentorship program, whose main aim is to inspire underprivileged young people around the slums of Malawi to think beyond their physical and economic limitations. At Klesis, which started with only six people but now has over 150 members, she work with young people, mostly in their teens and early twenties, facilitating potential and skills development . She also help the mentees to explore and plan their future. Where possible, she does help very underprivileged mentees to secure scholarships within Malawi and abroad.

Aggie and some of her mentees

All this effort is because of the realization that young people if well nurtured, are strong and powerful agents of change, and that education and skill development are the major tools for curbing social injustice and exclusion, which have heavily hampered development in Malawi. She believes in the possibility of positive change and the power in young people. It does not matter what professional path you take as long as you are educated,there is power to transform you and the world around you.

"We ought to dream BIG! Think beyond our limitations. Every human being, regardless of his or her economic/social background, age, has the ability to become a super power, so long as determination, resilience, passion and patience are cultivated in them. All things are possible to them who believe!!" shares Aggie

NB : This profile is shared for motivational purposes, feel free to use it to motivate young women and girls who you know are still not aware of their potential. If you are looking for mentorship or need more details please contact the blog owner (alibewawo@gmail.com). young women achievers are also welcome to share their profiles and achievements:Are you one or do you know a young woman whose achievements and story will motivate and encourage girls to stay in school? send me an email and the story will be featured here.

#Girlsmustayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

 Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com

This can be you...

Everyday is a day we are exposed to new technologies, being on our mobile phones,

Rachel Sibande; The super techwoman

computers, processing machineries, you name it. its fun how we all surf on our phones, play different games and often go crazy of new apps and gadgets in town. I have to admit, am not a high tech woman myself and I have always run to a male counterpart to help me fix almost everything that relates to technology and gadgets. I am pretty sure that am not the only female who for a long time has not put a heart on learning and familiarizing myself with the fast moving world of technology. It may be hard if you are a grown up to catch up on what many of us view as the complicated field for women to venture but here is Rachel Sibande a woman who will challenge most of the ladies out there that technology and innovation isn’t all about being male. Indeed technology is an indispensable part of our lives today and few can fancy living without it.

As a Malawian Woman Rachel has been nothing but a super tech woman transforming lives in Malawi. She has extensive work experience in the use of technology in Agriculture in Malawi and is the Chief of Party of the Technology for Extension to Smallholders (TEXTS) Project. The project supports the Ministry of Agriculture to adopt web to sms extension as a complimentary service.  Prior to this, Rachel had led the roll out and implementation of the first ever web to SMS Market Information Systems Platform in Malawi using the Esoko platform (http://.esoko.com).  Currently over 60,000 smallholder farmers and extension agents are receiving agricultural extension and market price information through this system.  One may wonder how she is able to do all this, well, education is Rachel’s engine to all she has achieved as of today. She holds several tertiary qualifications in computer science, statistics, information theory, coding and cryptography.

A stay focused mentality on education pushed Rachel into plodding this unique career. Before being on her current position she worked on a USAID development project called Market Linkages Initiative which was established with a goal of promoting structured and transparent commodity trading systems. She held countless portfolios’ ranging from a Market Information Specialist to Chief of Party.  Rachel also taught at the Kamuzu Academy High School as well as at Mzuzu University in Malawi. She is indeed a true model to many and a motivation to young girls aspiring to be tech champions.For Malawian girls in secondary or primary schools, if some voice keep telling you that techrelated careers are not for you as a girl, let Rachel’s experiences and achievements challenge you. Yes,  you can be the female Steve jobs, the Malawian Bill Gates and of course another Rachel sibande.

“I have learnt that the recipe for success in life is pursuing your goals with unqualified passion, absolute determination and yet, a pinch of faith. Once, I realized this; not even the sky has been the limit.”says Rachel , an alumni of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative program who sits on the American Ambassador’s youth council.

Her  passion is on youth development and gender inclusion in the agricultural and technology spaces. Recently, she established Malawi’s first technology hub, a space where young technology enthusiasts would be mentored to become techpreneurs.She describes herself as being a dynamic, diligent and driven person. She is 28 years old, married to Chrispine and together they have 3 children, 1 girl and 2 boys. In her free time, Rachel likes trying out new recipes in her kitchen, gardening and socializing with friends. 

Young girls,this can be you in years to come, Education will take you there.stay in school,work hard and challenge yourselves. Technology and Innovation is for girls too.

NB : This profile is shared for motivational purposes, feel free to use it to motivate young women and girls who you know are still not aware of their potential. If you are looking for mentorship or need more details please contact the blog owner (alibewawo@gmail.com). young women achievers are also welcome to share their profiles and achievements:Are you one or do you know a young woman whose achievements and story will motivate and encourage girls to stay in school? send me an email and the story will be featured here.

#Girlsmustayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

 Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com