Tafadzwa is a well-known hard-working Data Entry Clerk at the ZHI Mutare office. Her life is an inspiration to her peers and siblings as she proved to them that dropping out of school is not the end of the world.
“My father abandoned me when I fell pregnant in 2015 and dropped out of school. My boyfriend left me to suffer the consequences; society judged me for the pregnancy and insisted that I deserved the punishment that I got from my father. I had no option but to live with a distant relative who only provided a place to sleep.”
Tafadzwa did not allow her situation to shutter her hopes. The unfortunate had happened but she remained hopeful that one day she will go back to school and pursue her studies. One of her peers who is also a young mother and a DREAMS Out of School Club Facilitator (OOSCF) came to her rescue and encouraged her to join the DREAMS program. “She told me what I wanted to hear, that my life was not doomed, it was still possible to realise my dreams against all odds.”
Tafadzwa’s decision to join the DREAMS program was quick; all she wanted was help to get to her feet again. “The counselling and SRHR support that I got from DREAMS partners including Childline, CATCH and PSI made me a strong young woman. I now know my rights and I am confident to share my experiences with my peers, encouraging them to visit DREAMS partners for help whenever they need help.
Passion and determination distinguished Tafadzwa from her peers and soon she grew to become an OOSCF assisting other young mothers. The National Aids Council was impressed by her hard work and enrolled her for the Young People’s network. Using funds from her small businesses which she started with knowledge from DREAMS entrepreneurship and business management training and few savings from her allowances, Tafadzwa managed to pursue her education and passed her A’level studies. “I am now studying for a degree in Development Studies at the Catholic University. Inspired by my achievements, most of my peers have enrolled for different academic and tertiary studies. I am happy with the positive influence that I have made to my community, said Tafadzwa with satisfaction.”
Tafadzwa is now a Data entry Clerk at the ZHI and she continues to impact her peers. She uses the knowledge that she acquired from the DREAMS training to encourage her peers to remain positive. During the Covid 19 induced lockdown, she uses her social media platforms to share GBV information with young mothers encouraging them to report any cases to police and DREAMS partners.
“With the Covid 19 induced lockdown also comes sexual, physical and emotional violence. I am using my social media platforms especially WhatsApp and Face Book to sensitise young mothers about GBV. The platforms are interactive and I am encouraged by the positive responses that I am getting from my peers!”