Kudzwai got pregnant at the age of 16; her boyfriend refused responsibility and left her to face the world alone. Her peers and the community did not give her the support she expected, she suffered stigma and discrimination.
“My mother worked day and night to pay my school fees; she could not believe that I had dropped out of school. She tried to convince me to go back to school saying I was not going to be expelled but I could not imagine facing my peers again – they called me names.”
Kudzwai lived a bitter life, she regretted not listening to her guidance and counseling teacher but it was now too late to turn back the hands of time.
“For some time I thought I was losing my mind and I felt the only solution was to take my life. At least I would be free from the judging world.”
As time progressed, Kudzwai suffered depression. She decided to join a group of young women who sold their wares at the market but she could not find startup capital for the project. This is when Kudzwai was identified by the DREAMS facilitator from St Theresse in Manicaland who introduced her to the DREAMS Project and referred her to Childline for psychosocial support.
“The psychosocial support I received from Childline made me confident again, I looked at life differently and decided to be positive. I joined the Sungano Club where I met empowered young women and girls who were determined to make a difference in their life regardless of their past.”
At the Sungano Club issues of early pregnancy, HIV and Gender Norms were freely discussed. She felt at home. Her favorite session from the program was ‘My rights and responsibilities’ which resonated well with her lived reality. The ISALS training that she later received enabled her to start a small business – buying and selling second hand shoes and soya chunks. She also managed to start a poultry project from the proceeds of her small business. Kudzwai was later trained in beading and she prides herself in making necklaces, earrings, handbags, key holders and wallets.
Kudzwai now takes care of her child and has great plans for the future: “I am going to expand my business beyond borders. I will be a good example to my peers who are facing different challenges in life.”