Enhanced Social Status

Interviewers: Jacob Mumpande and Blessing Munkuli    Date: 23 July 2014

Metron Muleya during the interview

In 2003 my father died when I was still at primary school and my mother was faced with torrid times raising fees for me, my elder sister and siblings. Inheritance of my father’s estate depleted productive assets like livestock and there were certainly no safety nets for optional pursuance for social expenditure like education. Besides the resource challenges, I used to walk 9 kilometres one way to the nearest primary school.   My education was headed for extermination.   My family situation really got worse when I went to secondary school.

As the situation was tipping off, my sister’s husband took over responsibility on user fees from meagre earnings from his employment as a driver. Due to paltry resources I went to school with inadequate material as compared to other children and used to be sent out of school for non-payment and or failing to meet other school material requirements. This had immense psychological effect on me.  In as much as my sister’s husband took over the burden from my mother; I was still not settled at all because this meant more responsibilities apart from struggling with insufficient income to take care for his own family.

I had exceptional performance at grade seven final examinations and in form one in 2006, Capernaum Trust paid my school fees at Binga High School. However I was dropped in midterm in 2007 for indistinct reasons and was highly affected to get to terms with dropping school which seemed probable. At the time when my brother in law was making transfer arrangements for me to Manjolo Secondary School which is in rural Sikalenge; Basilwizi Trust through its Education Support project supported me with school fees up to form four three in 2009. I was actually recommended by school staff. Under Basilwizi Trust support, my mother managed to make small servings earned from vending and used this income to send other siblings to school and at times used the money towards school material.

Jacob Mupande (right) taking down notes during the interview

At ‘O’ level results I attained 9 ‘O’ level (with 8 subjects scored in one sitting).  At Advanced level I scored 8 points from 2 subjects (Economics and Business Management). I later scored a point after I studied on my own from home to make a total of 9 points at Advanced level. 

I am now an educated woman and my intellectual being earned me a job as Finance Officer at Zubo Trust; a women empowerment organisation focused on promoting women and girl child’s rights in the Zambezi Valley. Now that I am working, I sent my elder sister back to school who had failed her initial ‘O’ level sitting and I also pay fees for my sister who is now in form three. My elder sister now has 4 ‘O’ level passes. I am similarly providing for family essential needs back at home. I contribute towards family food expenditure and essentials like sanitary ware.

In 2011, I decided to upgrade myself and enrolled for an Honours Degree in Accounting and Financial Management at Lupane State University through a block format. I chose the block format because of its flexibility to allow students to be studying whilst employed. This arrangement enables me to raise money and fund my own education.

The most significant change is social status I earn in my society through my education which opened my mind to make informed choices as I prepare to shape my future. Many girl children envy my small achievements so far realized. Passing my ‘O’ level is very substantial benefit to me because if I was out of school at tender age I would be having illogical ideas about building my future. I know for sure that lack of occupation was going to push me into early marriage and eventually would be a mother of several children at this point. My community appreciate that a girl child can be a future leader through determination. My success to date has led to changes in the way communities view education today. For example, as a beneficiary, I am now able to pay my siblings school fees and even providing the family with some other needs. This then translates to poverty reduction and time for girl children to realize that they can also make changes in their families.   

Young girls are learning from my career path to success and passing my Ordinary level had positive trickle down effect both at personal level and community. Young as I am; I am regarded as a household head and economically active. I also make decisions and relevant advices to community and women’s groups in my community. Community is now sending their girl children with consented effort to school as a way of empowering them and ushering them into novel life skills. The number of school drop outs has further reduced in Manjolo and Sikalenge community since parents have realized

the importance of education. Early and forced marriages as a way of getting bride price had been reduced too since many girl children are occupied with their education and have gained confidence on their rights. Previously, girl children were reserved for marriages and boys for herding cattle and nowadays they are all taken to school with a similar attitude for success and benefiting equally.

I wish Basilwizi Trust continues fundraising for the education support, especially for the girl child because the girl child has very little chance to bounce back to the preferred career path once she miss orientation and guidance whilst in school.   Out of 5 pupils supported with fees only two were girls and this depicts a very big gender disparity which needs urgent notice and attention. The motivating aspect from this support is that all the five pupils supported passed their ordinary level.