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| 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#
