The reward of perseverance

Gloria- Nothing should stop you

There is often that one girl in class whom everybody hates,she is often smart and leading in all academic endevours. From a tender age Gloria Masula happened to be that sharp girl eyed by the whole class especially boys.The 1991 November baby was born third in a family of four. She started her primary school at Bakhita Private school in Balaka as it is expected of every child to go to school. A few years later, Gloria's family moved to Liwonde where she finished her primary education at St Theresa  full primary school.She championed the top 10 of her class. This did not go well with most boys in the class. They bullied her, they gave her physical torture, they could beat her up. This was enough reason for Gloria to quit school. Who would want to wake up to such a life at such a young age? Well, regardless of all the hiccups, Gloria maintained her position and endured the boys' hilarious treatment. she would run her life every other school knock off  time.

Her perseverance saw Gloria being the only lady selected to a national secondary school. Graciously, it was St Mary's, an all girls' school. "What a relief!" she thought to herself. She knew the after school battles were over, she knew the boys were nowhere closer to offer her kicks. Gloria became comfortable and relieved. at the same time she felt the challenge of being the only girl making it to national secondary school. It was like all eyes of the community were on her. "What will happen there?" "Will she make it?" "is she well deserving?" " Will she come out with a certificate, will she meet some men and get pregnant?or perhaps become a child bride?" these were more likely gossiping questions around the township.To Gloria, these meant so much more, it was a great source of motivation for her to believe in achieving her goals and making it to university.She kept working hard. Somehow because she believed in hard work and to an extent ,she was to prove a point.

Four years went by so fast, Gloria had taken her Malawi School Certificate Examination and has passed with flying colors. " What next? " she wondered, sooner she realized that not even the sky is the limit, she pursued further and made it to Bunda College now The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources(LUANAR). Upon making it to University,she became a role model to most of the girls she had left home. her community had a story of a girl to talk about. Mothers had a point of reference when they advise and encouraged their girls to stay focused in school. Now the gossip of the hated smart girl became a different story of hope and encouragement.To some of the boys that bullied her, it was a reflection time, it was a moment of admiration and motivation.

In 2013, Gloria graduated with a bachelor of science in Aquaculture and fisheries science from Bunda college now LUANAR. She then served with a number of organizations like Network for Youth Development (NfYD) www.nfydmw.org, UN Women, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s, School of Agriculture for Family Independence (SAFI) just to mention a few. Today, Gloria is a serving with Plan international focusing her work on youth economic empowerment as well as sustainable livelihoods alongside volunteering as a National Coordinator for the Youth to Youth Empowerment (Y2YE) formerly known as the World Bank Youth Network (WBYN), she is also an Individual sponsorship coordinator for Maphunziro265 www.maphunziro265.org 

I became a role model to my community

Throughout her life, Gloria has become passionate about youth leadership and that has led her to becoming the 2016 Commonwealth Youth Peace Malawi Ambassador, a 2016 Mentee for the African Women in Agriculture, Research and Development (AWARD). She is also a member of the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) and a member of Lilongwe Tea group.

Among other achievements, Gloria has successfully organized Ticheze Youth Forums, TEDx Lilongwe, Youth Speak Forum Malawi and Youth Development conversations, among other events.

Gloria believes that the power to changing communities and people's mindsets of our potential lies within us. She simply encourage other girls from communities holding negativity on their potential to simply never give up and never get defined by anybody's negative voice. "Keep pushing, keep achieving and live your dream, No one should stop you" says Gloria as she smiles with hope for the future.

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#

Reaping her choice

Pilirani Khoza, one of the 16 brightest world young leader

Growing up in the rural village of Engucwini, in Mzimba, the northen part of Malawi, the inspiring young Pilirani khoza never imagined reaching heights beyond the Mzimba boundaries. "Its all about hardwork, commitment and dedication" says young Pilirani Khoza as she smiles full of memories of what used to be a dream being turned to reality. To those that knew Pilirani from her childhood days in Mzimba, they can never imagine the young inspiring woman she is today. She has travelled across the globe, launched and supports initiatives and can testify the power of education. Not only is Pilirani a remarkable founder of Bunda Female Students Association (BUFESO) an organization supporting needy university students at Lilongwe University of Agriculture (LUANAR) Bunda campus with tuition and upkeep needs but also a recent young leader of the European Development Days (EDD).

The passion, charisma and perseverance that Pilirani holds cannot be doubtful that she was selected as one of the 16 brightest young minds in international development representing the voice of youth and the future of development at the European Development Days 2016 in Brussels. Pilirani have had a chance to visit European institutions, meet influential EU policymakers, and network with other young people driving change around the world. Wondering how this could be, it has never been a smooth road for the young Engucwini princess. She has been through battles that have left scars in her life and at the same time passed through roads that have left marks of joy. As founder of BUFESO, Pilirani has been able to attract the support of a number of remarkable influential people within Malawi to support girls education. Of which includes the first lady madam Getrude Munthalika. All in all Pilirani began her journey hopelessly. Little did she know heaven will someday smile at her.

Growing up as a child, Pilirani lived with both parents. Her father was what she could never really be able to define. At a young age she lost fatherly support, love and care as death claimed him. Unfortunately, she only had 16 years to experience motherly love and care as she also followed her husband years later. One thing Pilirani got proud of is the gift of education that her parents never deprived her. Pilirani did her primary education at Engucwini primary school and later moved to kakule primary school in Lilongwe following her mother’s relocating after the death of her father. From Kakule primary school, Pilirani was selected to Chinsapo secondary school in the year 2005. Her mother was a jobless woman with little academic knowledge. Much as being selected to secondary is good news to many, it was a different experience for Pilirani. It was the beginning of great worries. She knew her mother could not manage getting her tuition, books, transport money let alone food for the day. Luckily, pilirani’s uncle took the responsibility to support her mother in small businesses to get Pilirani to school.

 In 2012, a dark cloud fell upon Pilirani’s life, She lost her mother, her pillar, the only person who had a room for her to stay.Her uncle lived far and the only closest person was her grandmother. She found consolation and hope that got shattered a few months later as her grandmother followed her mother and answered God’s call. Despite all the hardships she encountered, Pilirani never gave up on education. She pulled her socks higher and made it to University of Malawi, Bunda College now LUANAR.

Life became harder at college. Even though she was under government sponsorship, the allowance was just never enough to get her going for the whole year. There came a time when she was in third year that holidays began and she had nowhere to go for holidays. She stayed on at the university hostels for the whole holiday period, School resumed and she had nothing in her pocket, she could spend two week taking a shower with no soap and body lotion. “I have had to wait for the bathrooms to be empty so one sees me showering soap-less. I was just trying to save myself the embarrassment. It was shameful but I had no option.” She said.

An idea then crossed her mind. She never wanted to live such a life for good. She sought of ways of surviving. She projected her writing skills and through such writing skills, she managed to secure part time employment as media specialist whilst at the Bunda Campus. The main goal was to publicise the Bunda transition to Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (LUANAR). Pilirani’s duties involved writing articles and managing social media pages like facebook page for the university. Every penny earned was an investment to her education. She could buy books, academic materials and some other basic needs.

With all the challenges faced during her college days, She founded an organization called Bunda Female Students Organisation (BUFESO) in the year 2012, with a basic goal of working to support poor students by sourcing funds for their school fees and upkeep allowances. The organization has up to date supported 3 University students with School fees and a number of students with upkeep allowance.  Pilirani is now a Gender Policy Project-Assistant project Coordinator at LUANAR. Her message to young girls is that, education is a weapon to carry at all times. “ Nothing can stop you from attaining education, a leap of faith and determination will take you there. Above all seek God and all shall be added onto thee We all pass through struggles in life. In such moments, the choices we make shape us.” concludes Pilirani whose life has been transformed greatly as a result of education.

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#