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.

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