This can be you...

Everyday is a day we are exposed to new technologies, being on our mobile phones,

Rachel Sibande; The super techwoman

computers, processing machineries, you name it. its fun how we all surf on our phones, play different games and often go crazy of new apps and gadgets in town. I have to admit, am not a high tech woman myself and I have always run to a male counterpart to help me fix almost everything that relates to technology and gadgets. I am pretty sure that am not the only female who for a long time has not put a heart on learning and familiarizing myself with the fast moving world of technology. It may be hard if you are a grown up to catch up on what many of us view as the complicated field for women to venture but here is Rachel Sibande a woman who will challenge most of the ladies out there that technology and innovation isn’t all about being male. Indeed technology is an indispensable part of our lives today and few can fancy living without it.

As a Malawian Woman Rachel has been nothing but a super tech woman transforming lives in Malawi. She has extensive work experience in the use of technology in Agriculture in Malawi and is the Chief of Party of the Technology for Extension to Smallholders (TEXTS) Project. The project supports the Ministry of Agriculture to adopt web to sms extension as a complimentary service.  Prior to this, Rachel had led the roll out and implementation of the first ever web to SMS Market Information Systems Platform in Malawi using the Esoko platform (http://.esoko.com).  Currently over 60,000 smallholder farmers and extension agents are receiving agricultural extension and market price information through this system.  One may wonder how she is able to do all this, well, education is Rachel’s engine to all she has achieved as of today. She holds several tertiary qualifications in computer science, statistics, information theory, coding and cryptography.

A stay focused mentality on education pushed Rachel into plodding this unique career. Before being on her current position she worked on a USAID development project called Market Linkages Initiative which was established with a goal of promoting structured and transparent commodity trading systems. She held countless portfolios’ ranging from a Market Information Specialist to Chief of Party.  Rachel also taught at the Kamuzu Academy High School as well as at Mzuzu University in Malawi. She is indeed a true model to many and a motivation to young girls aspiring to be tech champions.For Malawian girls in secondary or primary schools, if some voice keep telling you that techrelated careers are not for you as a girl, let Rachel’s experiences and achievements challenge you. Yes,  you can be the female Steve jobs, the Malawian Bill Gates and of course another Rachel sibande.

“I have learnt that the recipe for success in life is pursuing your goals with unqualified passion, absolute determination and yet, a pinch of faith. Once, I realized this; not even the sky has been the limit.”says Rachel , an alumni of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative program who sits on the American Ambassador’s youth council.

Her  passion is on youth development and gender inclusion in the agricultural and technology spaces. Recently, she established Malawi’s first technology hub, a space where young technology enthusiasts would be mentored to become techpreneurs.She describes herself as being a dynamic, diligent and driven person. She is 28 years old, married to Chrispine and together they have 3 children, 1 girl and 2 boys. In her free time, Rachel likes trying out new recipes in her kitchen, gardening and socializing with friends. 

Young girls,this can be you in years to come, Education will take you there.stay in school,work hard and challenge yourselves. Technology and Innovation is for girls too.

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

Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com

Its more than court rooms...



Stella Mapemba(Lawyer)- Lived her dream

Their tune may be different but they sing one common song, "being lawyers" that's Stella Mapemba and Uchizi Chinula's shared commonality. Like many other girls in Malawi, Stella underwent the Malawi Government school system. From Dzenza Primary School to Lilongwe girls' Secondary School, through hard work, Stella kept pursuing her dreams of being the lawyer she imagined to be. Both Uchizi and Stella believed in education as a privilege to shape their future self. While Uchizi went straight into studying a Bachelor of law degree at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK, it was not the same with Stella who began her law career as a Bachelor of journalism student at the Polytechnique a constituent college of the University of Malawi. She studied for a year before being enrolled to study Bachelor of law at Chancellor College, another constituent college of the University of Malawi. She later pursued her Master of law at the University of Warwick in the UK.



Uchizi Chinula (Lawyer)-Believed in the power of Education

While being a lawyer is one of the most claimed and admired dream profession for most girls in Malawian primary and Secondary schools, not many girls believe they have what it takes to be one. To some, law is all about being in court and they limit themselves of not being good enough and under-possessing qualities that can enable them to argue a court case on behalf of a client hence they give up on their dreams. Stella and Uchizi serve as exemplary insights that lawyers do not spend all their time in court and that indeed, some do not even see the inside of one in their professional lives and lawyers are not only called in when things go wrong. Shedding more light that legal advice is needed, for almost everything a human being is entitled to do, from signing forms which include consent forms at hospitals, to property buying and many other transactions. As lawyers, Stella and Uchizi also recognise the challenge lawyers  value in defending the innocent and helping the most disadvantaged in society. For every Girl who wants to take pride in being a part of this amazing and life changing profession, education is the only way forward they hint.

Pursuing dreams has never been easy for both Stella and Uchizi, but one thing that they both held at the back of their mind is the realization that to become someone in life, you have to be educated. For Stella it all centres on imagination "I believe that imagination is the greatest gift God gave us, if we can imagine it, we can bring it into being. We need to imagine and dream BIG, We can’t afford to settle for small dreams when we have the potential to achieve bigger things." She urge Malawian young girls in primary and secondary school to start imaging of what they want to become as they pursue education for their dream fulfilment. Whilst Uchizi who wants  success for every Malawian girl child encourage girls to work hard in school. she says, " education is key to a bright future, no matter where you start from its a journey that requires hard work and it pays off."

Having worked as a lecturer at the Catholic University in Malawi, Uchizi Chinula is now working as a compliance and prevention officer at the Financial Intelligence Unit in Malawi whereas for Stella, she lived her dream of working with the Government under the Ministry of Justice for four years contributing in making justice accessible for all (The old, poor, women, men, children)before joining Malawi Leaf Company Limited, a subsidiary company of Auction Holdings Limited as a Legal Services and compliance Manager. keeping a good attitude while working hard on her dreams, Stella is passionate about service and impacting lives especially those that are less privileged and counted, those that the only crime they ever committed is being poor.
Besides her office work, Stella also finds a great deal of satisfaction through her pro bono (Volunteer) work with Centre for victimized Women and Children (CAVWOC). Where through this NGO, She has been able to represent women and children in various court cases and provided them with the much needed legal advice and representation which most of them could otherwise not have afforded on their own. She does sensitize women and children about their legal rights and is forever grateful to God for getting her to a position of service to others towards access to justice. She still believe in Education and that her academic career tree has not stopped growing, so is every girl's academic tree : "to those of you in secondary or primary school, nurture your academic goals and believe in a strong sprouting tree in whatever career you will opt for" she advised.

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)

#Girlsmustayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

 Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com

There is a life changing power in your story...

Its such young girls whose dreams will be shaped by hearing and reading your story-Maggie with young girls in Nathenje

Never underestimate the power of your story, your experiences, your challenges, your opportunities and above all the blessing you are to those around you. I never knew just being me was enough to inspire others, telling someone  who I am was enough to make a difference untill not so long ago.It just took a narration of my life journey to be able to get somebody seeing the best of their being.It took sharing the opportunities of being admitted to 4 Universities and securing local and international scholarships to instill hope and self belief of what one is capable of becoming...so never underestimate ur experiences...There is a moving and motivating power in your story.
It has always been a part of me to never live life for myself; I have always wanted to live for others, as Christ did. I have always wanted to change things, the face of the minority, the disadvantaged, the less privileged in society, yes those who really don't get to be counted at times, those whom their voices are silenced from birth and those who really do not know or have a chance to get to know what is revolving around their world. A day comes and go, it makes no difference to their life as long as there is tomorrow, Life goes on. I was afraid to make a move in the first place, how could I face the world with empty hands cause I thought it takes something huge or perhaps that it needs one to have it all in order to make a difference, but ey, I was wrong it just takes you to bring about change. We all have the capacities within our abilities to make a difference in our own lives and others. Much as it is obvious to some people to see what opportunities are ahead of them, it is never obvious for everyone. Most of my friends had such obvious opportunities foreseen but It was never the case with me, I grew up knowing no opportunity ahead of me, but one thing I know and am grateful for is the secret to have known Christ at a tender age, it helped me to grow up worrying about nothing as I knew it was all set for tomorrow knowing He holds tomorrow.


 As I grew up, I have been blessed to come across a number of opportunities and I have always wanted to make others a part of these opportunities. I didn't know how but thank God, He gave me an opportunity to inspire and use my story to reach out and make a difference. It may not be the biggest or greatest story but to one person in some way at some point in time it has been able to make a difference. It all centers on education. If it was never for my hard work in school as am still doing now, I would never be able to inspire somebody, I would never be able to give a young girl a reason to be in school, I would never fly to different countries and I would never be blogging today on education and its power to change a life. I remember very well the first time when I was enrolled in a nursing college at the University of Malawi and wore a nurses uniform in my neighborhood, as I walked to the health center where I used to work on part time basis. I was still a teen ager and I met a young girl with her mama who lived just close to us. The little girl smiled at me and looked at me with envy; I knew she was amazed to see such a young nurse. It didn't mean anything to me what this young girl who by then was almost 8 yrs old had in her mind and what impact my age and career would have in her life until the time I had left nursing for a different career abroad. I rarely came home for holidays; I would come back once every year and never get to meet this young girl in my neighborhood.  Little did I know that she had told her mama that she looks up to me as her role model and that she one day wants to be like me. Her mother was just another good woman who knew how to stimulate her girl to work hard in school. She kept telling her of every other opportunity I was presented with and reminded her of the possibility to attain the same and even greater if she works hard in school. This year after almost 7 years of not meeting the girl, I learnt from her mother that she has been so ambitious to become more like me, she is been an excellent student maintaining her standards. That's when I also learnt to know that it’s not just this one girl in my neighborhood I have been inspiring and giving a reason to work hard in school but many other girls who constantly keep approaching me and share how my love for school has helped them stay in school.
Sharing my story, my challenges and my experiences has been a way of making a difference in the lives of many girls in my neighborhood and beyond. It has rekindled the girls’ interest to stay in school and strive for their dreams... If my story can make a difference in a girl’s life, what more with your story????


Maggie inspired Malawian girls with her story at one of the schools in Rural Lilongwe ,Her story  instilled hope in girls.

 NB: This has been written to call for Career/business oriented Malawian girls and women who believe in their Life stories and the difference it can make in promoting girls education in Malawi to share their stories through email to alibewawo@gmail.com and I will have the stories published on this blog...Be the first to share your story or recommend a friend’s story for this blogsite.  

#girlsmuststayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

It does not stop with your undiscovered self untill you unlock the doorway and education is the key...

Joana Chikadza, Award winning Nurse of the year 2014

It might not sound so real that you can get to build a career in a specific discipline and be able to enjoy and make the best out of it especially if it was not of interest to you. Some of you may be following the footsteps of Joana Chikadza. You may be travelling the path that Joana trode and perharps,you may end up trailing a new path for others to follow just as she did. You are in secondary school and university is where your heart is or may be you are still in primary school  and you keep telling yourself of a career you would love to pursue.You might have known somebody in that field who inspired you,well that sounds fantastic.As of now there is no other discipline running in your head except that specific field. At the back of your mind,its all well set and you are convinced to be well informed of the Lawyer, engineer, Doctor,or Administrator you are to be in years to come. You are not the first one to wear the shoes of such a dream, it was the same with Joana, from her secondary school days at Nkhamenya Girls secondary school, She already saw herself as an accountant. She never thought she could be a nurse,she never really heard alot about nursing, to her nursing was so feminine and not queit challenging a career,she viewed it to be a passive profession. Family, teachers and friends had already fuflfilled their role in influencing her to pursue accountng as part of their support.

Upon completing secondary education,Sitting for university entrance examination as a Malawi secondary school leaver was not a big deal for Joana.It was to her a doorway to being an accountant. As the results were announced , Joana ended up at Kamuzu college of Nursing, a constituent college of The University of Malawi to study nursing. It was untill then that she got to discover her career path and the best nurse she was being built into,it was time she got to know that dreams could not always turn up the way you see them,what matters the most in a career is the difference you make in your own life,society and beyond.She testified that education has the power to honor you and introduce you to places where you get to know of the true difference you can make at the end of everyday.Today 25 year old Joana Chikadza is one of  the most passionate nurses one would meet, She completed her university education and came out with a Bachelors degree in Nursing.She has embraced her skills and knowledge working for four years as a nurse.

Passion and determination led Joana to be the award winning Nurse of the year 2014. Remember, back then, nursing was never a field she saw herself in, today, education has shaped her to be a happy and inspiring nurse and she does say that, there is nothing to do with being female in order to amount to something in life and no career is feminine,each has its own way of challenging you as an individual not as a woman or man."I believe that God created no man or woman to be average,we all are entltled to excellency,Create that self image of a champion and know that you are a victor not a victim." says Joana as she pass out a message to girls to stay in school and get a chance to learn of different career opportunities." If you never end up being the teacher you see yourself in two or more years time,there is still room for you to make a difference in the Journalist you can become,it does not stop with your undiscovered self untill you unlock the doorway and education is the key.God never make mistakes trusts His plans."

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)

#Girlsmustayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

Photo Credit : AMARU Photography in support of girls education

 Visit :  www.amaruphotos.com

Education will stirr your passion and you will be a true agent of change...

Every other day, is a day Malawi is struggling to keep girls in school and put an end to early marriage. There are a number of well-known people that are working effortlessly on these issues. Rebecca Phwitiko may not be a new name to most of us who read the daily newspapers. This young multitalented lady is probably well known in her role as Public Relations Officer for the largest government department but she also dabbles in advocacy in the areas of girls’ education and young women’s leadership.  She has been involved in a number of global advocacy programs.

Looking at Rebecca, she is just a girl. She could have been like many other girls in Malawi, she could have ended up somewhere unknown, uneducated, and we would have never read her name in the papers.

Maybe she would have been presented as a bride somewhere before completing her education either by choice or force. If she hadn’t stayed in school she would not be where she is today. Rebecca is a Malawian girl who has done all her education in Malawi, from primary, secondary till university. She is a product of the University of Malawi specifically Chancellor College where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities.

Education has allowed Rebecca to set a name for herself in the society, it has taken her miles she never imagined she could tread.  At only 26, Rebecca has four years’ experience working as a journalist for the state broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Corporation in Blantyre, where she was exposed to a diverse range of development issues including challenges girls face in pursuing their education. 

In her current position as Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology she handles internal and external communications as well as events management.  She also sits on the World YWCA Board, making her one of twenty women from around the world governing the global women’s movement which is present in about 115 countries. www.worldywca.org 

Hardwork, perseverance and purpose have gotten her this far but for Rebecca there is more to be done. She believes, as Thomas Edison said, that if we all did the things we are capable of we would literally astound ourselves.

NB: This profile is shared for motivational purposes,feel free to share it with young women/girls who you know are still not aware of their potential.If you are looking for mentorship on how to unfold your potential and academic motivation for young wome and girls contact the owner of the blog through email: alibewawo@gmail.com
#girlsmuststayinschoolsupportgirlseducation#

Photo credit: AMARU Photography in support for girls education
visit www.amaruphotos.com

It all begin with a dream...

With a wish, yes that small dream...Do You have dreams or wishes and all you see is nothing but the impossibility of your dreams coming true?  Well, Catherine Namale Kaimila is just a young woman who has been through a journey just like you. It all started with a dream, a wish and little did she know that one day she would live it but she had faith that she would. Honestly, we all dream, some of us dream in colors, others choose to have their dreams in grey and some decide to have it in black and white. Whatever the differences may be, we all do dream. It all depends on the attitude and focus that we attach to our dreams as some of us may just dream while others strive to make their dreams alive.

As a young lady who was just about to graduate from University, Cathy started visualising having her photo with her suffixes on a company website. She hoped that someday it would come to pass. She never had the slightest idea when that would happen or which company it would be. From the time she was a young girl she knew her way to getting hired by a company was through education and she pursued it wholeheartedly. All her primary school days were just days wishing of growing up and turning her dream into reality. She never really figured out what it would take to reach her goal until the time she joined secondary school. As Cathy pursued her secondary education at Our Lady of Wisdom Secondary School, She started getting inspired by women in top positions and then she discovered that the secret to reaching such positions was through education. Thus when she started seeing herself at University, she could imagine of the day she would be graduating wearing the wisdom hat, she could foresee herself in an office afterwards and living her dream. She dreamt of inspiring other girls in secondary schools who would wish to achieve as much as she would have. 

From Our Lady of Wisdom Secondary School, where she did her secondary education Cathy joined The University of Wales in United Kingdom where she attained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Studies(honors) majoring in Marketing. All along she still held her dreams tight, she still believed in making her dream come true. Putting her focus right on education, she continued to pursue her MBA in International Business. It was with no doubt that she would make it with a Distinction   and become proud alumni of The University of Gloucestershire in the UK. While others would think with an MBA it was time to stop, Cathy continued to pursue a post graduate diploma in  Business Management and upon completing her post graduate diploma, Cathy came to live her dream when she got hired by Press Corporation Limited, the only Conglomerate in Malawi as a Management Trainee. After completing the management training she was given a substantive post at Press Properties Limited as a Sales & Marketing Officer. 

"It has always been my dream to have my photo with my suffixes next to it on a company website, specifically in the management section, I can proudly say the Lord made my dream come true as I am part of Management at Press Properties Limited. I owe my success and everything that I have become to God almighty. With focus, hard work, determination, open mindedness and faith everything is possible."says Cathy Kaimila. 

This does not mark the end to her education neither does it mark the end to creating more dreams as she is moved by Catherine Pulsifer's qoute that: "those who achieved success do not stop, they never become complacent, they keep learning and looking for new knowledge. Never think you have made it, there is always more to learn and do." Catherine Namale Kaimila is currently enrolled on a Leadership Development Programme sponsored by Press Corporation Limited and facilitated by Redpoint Consulting a South African based entity. Her message to young girls is to stay in school, keep their dreams alive, and they can achieve anything in life if only they have faith and belief, young girls need to have a vision, work hard, and stay determined and dedicated. Always remember that all things are possible for those who believe. The sky should not be the limit. "You can do it, yes you can!"

NB: this profile is shared for motivational purposes, feel free to share it with young women and girls you know who are still not aware of their potential. If you are looking for mentorship or more details on girls education please contact the owner of the blog through (Maggie B.B. Phiri through email: alibewawo@gmail.com)
#girlsmuststayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

Photo Credit: AMARU Photography in support of girls education

Visit: www.amaruphotos.com

Visit: www.amaruphotos.com

Determination,Self discipline ,focus and a good Choice of friends made Isabel Kazanga who she is today

Isabel-I believe in God and a good choice of friends

One would be surprised if it is attainable for an ordinary Malawian girlchild. Isabel Kazanga's academic achievements as a young woman would surely motivate multitudes to believe in the possibilities and capabilities of a girl child.  Isabel has walked a long way to be who she is today. Just like any other Malawian girl, she did her primary and secondary education and craved for University.With a humble and focused spirit, Isabel made it to university of Malawi specifically Kamuzu College of Nursing where she started her career as a nurse.After four years of studying nursing,she earned a bachelors degree as a registered nurse and worked with the Ministry of Health under the Malawi government. Two years later she got a university certificate in midwifery.If she was to be like most Malawian girls, that would have marked an end to climbing the education ladder for Isabel but she chose to be different, she created visions that she worked hard to reach.Out of her determination and focus came great achievements. Isabel went ahead pursuing  a joint Masters Degree in Health systems  in four different Universities starting with University of Verona in Italy, University of Deusto in Spain, Corvinus University of Budapest in Hungary and the Vilnius University in Lithuania.Young  and ambitious Isabel so much believe in everyone being able to go with choices and she urge girls to know their circles of friends and make the right choices.In setting up a high academic record, Isabel has presented papers on several international platforms. She has worked on voluntary basis with the Association of Malawian Midwives as the executive secretary. With all her brilliant academic and perfect service it is not surprising that Isabel got a chance to be involved with international bodies like UNICEF as a consultant for  DIVA phase 1 in Malawi. Currently, she is pursuing International Doctorate studies in Global Health (INDIGO) at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Her professional interest glues on global health,health systems management and research,maternal and child health,equitable access to health care,patient safety and quality improvement. Talking of her fluency in communication and her excellent interpersonal skills,one would never question how Isabel  ended up as a lecturer at the University of Malawi,College of Medicine where she is currently instilling knowledge and skills in Malawian scholars. Her encouragement to girls is to stay in school and pursue education without limits, quoting B. King Isabel further clarify what education looks like. " it is the only key to a brighter future and the good thing about learning is that, it is personal and no one can take it away from you." B. King

What would stop our girls from achieving great if given education ?? Nothing! completely nothing that is  the answer every wise woman, man, boy or girl would give and yes,remember, wisdom comes from the Lord  so "put God first in Everything you do"  for " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom- proverbs 9: 10" shares Isabel

NB: This profile is shared for motivational purposes,Feel free to share it with young women/ girls who you know are still not aware of their potential.If you are looking for mentorship on how to unfold your potential and academic motivation for young women and girls contact the owner of the blog ( Maggie B.B Phiri through email : alibewawo@gmail.com)

#girlsmuststayinschoolsupporttheireducation#

Photo credit: AMARU Photography in support for girls education.

www.amaruphotos.com