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

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