My Unsung Heroes

It is good to have historical figures we can admire and emulate. But why always hold up as models the men who drafted the Constitution as a way of establishing a government that would protect their interests or those who have attained world recognition through Nobel Prizes, scientific discoveries or economic initiatives.

Lost in all of that talk sometimes, however, are the real role-players – people who almost always become increasingly important in life. While blogs and more specialist sites can and do devote time to the superstars, the efforts of the main players can often go unheralded. And yet when everyone else's superstars are finding that next level to the game, often it's these lesser-known players who become the difference-makers over the course of a series. This life series has been no exception, with a couple of women standing out as the all important unsung heroes.

One of them has definitely been Mrs Jafu, who may not stand out as a public figure thus far but who has contributed in other ways - most notably as my first teacher in nursery school. Talented and gracious yet humble and loving. She wasn’t flashy and yes, her actions didn’t always result in achievements, but for a school that based its system on education ownership, the most important part was often…well, possessing the education, starting with the core human values of respect, dignity and tolerance. It helps to know that she went an extra mile in expanding the school capacity. She has excelled above and beyond expected.

Although we parted in the most painful circumstances, I vividly remember her making a plea to my parents to remain in that city. But as the youngest child in my house, my parents could not let their 4year old stay away from home for five days of the week. I still owe her a visit for her kindness which can never be repaid, a thank you note as a sign of gratitude and most of all to update her on my accomplishments- an honour to her. She surely planted the best and finest seeds!

At the other end of my secondary school education, the standout has been Sr Rosetti Lau, MIC Sisters. Another brave soul from China drawn to Malawi as her new mission assignment. She was smart and articulate but we had no idea on the first day of the new term. Having attained the Junior Certificate of Education, we expected no less than a well trained and experienced teacher for the Senior Secondary Biology class. I was not surprised when she faced resentment on her first day of school from the very students she was going to teach. I still wonder what went through her mind at that moment. Over the course of study we grew to love her. She was exceptional in her work. My research project was on cancer and little did I know she was shining a light in a path I was to follow. With cancer and other non communicable disease becoming the current threat in dealing with global health, she set me on the road to an interest in Health. I am a product of her zeal and commitment.

These people are ever shining stars in my life, the gold that never fades and the hope for a better future. These unsung heroes of the world are my HEROES!!!

~Dynamics of Life

Life is a journey, take it.
Life is a ladder, climb it.
Life is a challenge, experience it.
Life is an exam, pass it.
Life is a trap, disentangle it.
Life is a mystery, solve it.

A Feminist Perspective

Woman. The word alone has connotations that have been carried through the ages. It is easily equated to wife, mother or caregiver. Worse still is the term African woman. Weak, poor, powerless, arranged marriage, genital mutilation, market women and not least child bearer. To some extent each of these descriptions fit some African woman on the continent. One forgotten aspect is the power a woman has over life and death of the unborn child. Women may decide to keep their children or worse still terminate all their pregnancies without the consent of their partners. However it comes as a surprise to discover how women have become the victims of their biological makeup. Their very source of power has been exploited and all we hear are women crying for their reproductive health rights.

But all hope is not lost. There are a number or numerous ways women can reclaim their lost glory. One important aspect worth noting is women empowerment through education. Mahatma Gandhi once said educate a man and you educate one person educate a woman you educate a whole nation. And yes it was said by a man and a humanist or maybe he was a militant feminist Of course many think it’s one of those just feel-good quotes with no real backing yet I choose to differ. Empowerment as a process involves a specific approach, strategies and interventions. Through empowerment, there is an expansion of freedom of choice and action. It means increasing ones authority and control over the resources and decisions that affect one’s life. As women exercise real choice they gain increased access. Education is a means of ensuring women attain the power.

Children suffer if mothers are not educated. There needs to be a paradigm shift in our education system where young children currently rely on private tutors to help them with homework and exam preparation resort to their mothers with whom they spend the most time. As education starts from the home, then it is imperative that mothers are educated to a level where they can be directly involved in their children's education without the need for private tutors at an early age. Fail to educate a woman, and you fail to educate an entire nation, and the nation suffers.

Once a woman has been forced to give up her education, the next level of violation of women's rights is in marriage. There are countless stories of women being forced into marriages against their will. Because of their limited experiences and lack of education these women have little or no power to stand against the norms of society. Massive violations of women’s rights are bound to occur among uneducated women. From birth a woman’s right is violated. 'Why is it a girl? Why couldn't you produce a boy'? Some husbands would ask their wives as if the wives are to blame for the birth of baby girls. Many people fail to realise that the chromosomes that decide the gender of the child comes from the father, not the mother. What is more sinister is the case of a doctor who threatened to divorce his wife because she could not produce a baby boy.

In a society where there are large discrepancies in gender equity, the development of the world depends on the empowerment of women. Since women are the caregivers it automatically makes them spend considerable time with their children, it is important to invest in their education. Of course this is no assumption that men teach nothing to their children or downplaying them but rather recognizing the important and active role can play if empowered and given the opportunity.