Mentorship of Rural Young Women and Girls
- Created: Thursday, 24 June 2021 12:03
The EFZ has understood the importance of inspiration and motivation in self-development and growth. We have recognized that sometimes the only barrier to someone’s success and transformation is a lack of inspiration.
Our 1st mentor - a woman who grew up in rural Zimbabwe, lost her parents at a tender age and did not do very well in school. She however went on to run for national elections as Councilor against 8 male other contestants and lost by 4 votes. Today she owns her own baking business after obtaining a baking certificate and takes care of her family with no help from outside. She has worked with other organizations using her story as inspiration to disadvantaged young women and girls.
In Zimbabwe, a lot of our rural areas are in very remote areas where new information and cases of possibilities may be very limited. This can lead to either shattered dreams or a lack of inspiration to dream at all. Through our mentorship programs under the Education in the Family for Transformation project, we are changing this by inviting women from similar backgrounds to share their journeys of how they rose above their poverty and misfortune into women of inspiration and success.
These mentorships have resulted in a change of perspective for rural young women and girls. Today, they have become more positive towards life and what they can achieve despite their background and status quo. Below are some statements on the immediate results emanating from these mentorship sessions.
“I had resigned myself to a life of suffering and poverty but this woman’s strength, determination and resilience have shown me that I can rise above my current situation and now I am going to fight for my life and success.”
“The story of Lindiwe has given me the impetus to embark on my journey to economic and social emancipation.”
“I am so inspired to become an independent woman in my life. This woman started off just like me and now I know I have the potential to better myself too.”