Belived in the formula to life

Yvonnie Akonda Sundu- MISA vicechairperson

To most readers of the Malawi Nation newspapers, the name Yvonnie Akonda Sundu is not new.Yvonnie a journalist with Nation Publications Limited is one of the young women active in the promotion of Media in Malawi. Raised as a town girl for the first seven years of her life, Yvonie was as happy as any other kid growing up in town enjoying the privilleges town life offers. The demise of her mother forced little Yvonie to quit town life for a village life. Due to circumstances beyond her control, Yvonnie , as little as she was, became the centre of all household chores in her new home at her village. She had to wake up at dawn to fetch water and make sure there is enough water in the home,sweep their compound and then leave for school. Her morning duties were not enough for the day,getting back from school, she had to clean dishes, go to the maizemeal at times, help with field work and any other duties that would come at her home.

"It was tough, I was young,but with time it became a routine and I became used." said Yvonnie.
As time passed by, An opportunity came for yvonnie to get back to town. It felt like heaven, she imagined being abit free from some chores. Even though this came with some changes in her lifestyle, it was still hard as the family where Yvonnie had to grow up in could not afford everything a girlchild of her age needed for education. With the limited resources, She sat for her primary school leaving exams and made it to Malamulo secondary school. She could spend the whole term on numbered resources, of which many were basic resources like soap and books.Amist all this circumstances, Yvonnie was a workaholic when it came to books, she was the top five of her class. she competed with boys and told herself that no circumstance would take her love for school away.Asking Yvonnie's motivation for school, she openly said her grandmother's dream for her was the secret to her hard working spirit.Her grandmother was the only person supporting her education. she was retired but she promised Yvonnie to fulfil her wish of dying and leaving behind an educated woman in Yvonnie.As years passed by, Anambewe, Yvonnie's grandma past a week after Yvonnie finished her Certificate Examinations at the Malawi Institute of Journalism.It was time for Yvonnie to be strong.she rejoiced knowing that she had gotten something from her grandma that would carry her along the journey of life. She called it the formula to living and thus Education.

After her journalism studies, Yvonnie got her first job with star radio at its inception. she then kept moving from one radio station to another.All the moves were motivated by the monetory offers different stations would give her.She never minded professional growth. Though she rose from being a reporter to a sub editor in the radio station, it was not a big deal for her. One day, Yvonnie made what she calls the biggest gamble of her life,She no longer focusing on money as a motivating factor to work instead, she focused on building professional skills, she quit electronic media in the pursuits of learning something different. She Joined print media under Nation Publications.

In her early years,Yvonnie grew up having no career dream. She became a journalist because of her love for the radio. Today, she is proud to be a journalist. One thing that actually came to her mind upon finishing form four was to join University of Malawi and do journalism,and by this time she was already a grown up who was just fascinated by radio presenters.Missing out on the university of Malawi corridors was never a reason enough for Yvonnie to sit down wallowing, whining and accusing herself for not being like her friends who made it.Instead she built a dream that she owned and lived and that was to be a journalist.

In her life as a journalist, she never stopped pursuing her dreams and ofcourse with her passion that keep growing, she started doing even much better than those she admired in the profession.Later Yvonnie went back to school,and this time was the University of Malawi, The polytechnique where she furthur studied for a diploma in journalism. She look forward to Returning to class for a Bachelors degree in God's time." I still want to pursue education even if  I am 50, I will still pursue education, and to all girls out there, never limit yourselves, move beyond all the circumstances and turn out with a dream you can own and live someday."said Yvonnie.

"Today, my job has made me see places, dine and wine with queens and kings.I owe this to God. If it wasn't for Him and the determination I carried,I would never have had such an opportunity.My hardwork came with special gifts, In December 2014, I was elected as the vice chairperson of MISA Malawi, which is the highest journalists' body in Malawi and I am the second woman heading such a position since the establishment of the body in 1996 . I can see myself being the first chairperson in the next two years." she said while laughing.

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 achievement : 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.

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 Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

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