The Hidden dream of a Village girl

Tarisai Muzondiwa (not her real name) resides in Save Valley in The Lowveld area of  Chiredzi. Like any other girl Tari (16 years) has an ambition of becoming an accountant one day. I met Tari at the Girl Child empowerment Conference in Malilangwe in August 2022 where I was one of the speakers. 

 The Girl Child Empowerment Trust had invited me as one of the Speakers. In my speech I encouraged the girls to have vision. I motivated them to dream big inspite of hardships. I also shared with the girls the dangers of early marriages and how this would hinder their progress. It was during my presentation that Tarisai approached me in private and narrated her life to me. 

 “ Sisi Angie, your presentation touched my heart, I have been so motivated by how you articulated it. Infact I am one of the girls who had fallen in love with a local guy who has promised to marry me. I had agreed to it but what you said made me change the plan. I have since reversed my decision of marrying early. The guy has been bringing me some goodies and I had fallen for it. ”She narrated. I applauded her for coming out with such a bold decision and then I encouraged her to pursue her education. 

Tari went on to highlight how her father tried to rape her and how she ran away from her father’s house. ‘These attempts on me were made several times until I ran away from home. My mother is now in South Africa and when my father learnt that I had reported him to the police, he ran away. We do not even know where he is. I now stay with my mother’s sister. However I thank her for accepting me in her house. Infact she is the one taking care of me now  but she cannot afford to pay my  school fees.The question is how do I make my vision a reality when my situation is like this.’  

The situation of Tarisai is similar to  that of many impoverished girls worldwide. “If I could afford to pay my fees definitely I would welcome your advice but as I have highlighted my situation,  it will seem as farfetched.’ I paused a little trying to think how I would help her. The only intervention needed was to pay Tarisai’s school fees. Yes it was very easy to say things but to commit myself to pay the fees was another thing. Yes I committed to pay her fees. I later realized that she could not sit properly because she was afraid that she would spoil her dress since she was on her menstruation period . I asked her why she was behaving that way. Tari could not afford sanitary pads. She used some chicken feathers instead. The pant she wore was joined into pieces and had knots and patches. 

My heart bled, I shed some tears to say the least. Thanks to the Girl Child Empowerment Trust that distributed some sanitary pads for the girls.  I realized that the issue of sanitary pads needs serious intervention.   In as much as Tari would need to fulfill her vision, she needs more than financial support. In fact there are so many girls like her who needs moral and psychological support. These young girls have been through a lot of hardships because of poverty. I realized in trying to have a conversation with them that they had a very low self-esteem. They cannot count themselves as worthy due to their upbringing and background. It took a lot of counseling and mentorship that they had to come in the open to share their ordeal. 

 The Founder and Director Girl Child Empowerment Trust Dr Morenlet Muravu Highlighted that “it’s very imperative to help and mentor these girls because of the marginalized community they come from.  When I formed the Girl Child Empowerment Trust I was motivated by girls from these communities. We are trying so hard to reach as many girls but due to limited resources we can only reach out to these few whom we believe they will go and tell others.” She said

 Girls like Tari are so many in communities. As they reach the age of puberty they become so vulnerable to some men and women who think that they are ready to go and marry. They are vulnerable because they are regarded as seconded class citizens who cannot raise their concerns. 

When you look at Tarisai’s  body you would think she is a grown woman. Her body has developed to the extent that some men propose her for marriage. When I talked to her, she seemed a little bit confused. ‘Sister Angie you are actually telling the truth, but the boys in my area are laughing at me saying I should have gone to my husband’s house long back. 

Tarisai dreams to work as an accountant in Government so that she can serve her country. My question is, how can Tari  pursue her dreams surrounded by such a negative community who sees her as someone ripe for marriage. How will she convince her friends when she gets home after the conference that it is possible to realize your dream? 

 Her dream is hidden because she has not said it to anyone and no one cared to listen and let alone ask her about it. Tarisai is motivated by the school bursar whom she sees at school. Her circumstances make  her think that she cannot reach the School Bursars level. The situation at home compels her to think that getting married early is the only way out to end her predicaments. 

On the other hand the father whom she thought was her role model and someone she thought would protect her made several attempts to rape her. Her mother feels the situation is unbearable and decides to  leave for South Africa. This makes Tarisai so vulnerable. Whom will she trust when the situation gets to this level? What kind of a wife is she going to be to her husband under this scenario? 

 The only hope she has is to have people like me and you. People who are going to assure that things will work out well. People who will not take advantage of girls like Tarisai but people who will assure that it is going to be fine. People who will love Tarisai and give her the hope that she deserves. May be one day Tari will not be afraid to speak her mind and keep declaring that indeed one day I am going to make it in life despite the fact that I faced challenges in my life. 

Girl Child Empowerment Trust's goal is to develop young women who are confident, socially adjusted, and economically empowered.

The GCET program is aimed at empowering girls (ages 10 to 16) with life skills and also taught about sexual reproductive health issues.The course covers personal and reproductive health rights in Zimbabwean law, puberty, menstrual health and feminine hygiene, the effects of HIV/AIDS, and breast and cervical cancers. They learn about the importance of women having an education and career guidance programs.The girls are counseled on emotional and mental issues, including the effects of bullying. The course equips the girls with an array of life skills which include financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Angie is the Women Entrepreneurship Ambassador for Zimbabwe and Publisher For 

The Influential Woman Magazine.

She can be found at mikiri.angie.@gmail.com