The hunger to learn

I recently visited a women empowerment project in one high-density suburb of peri-urban Harare. I had not been there for a long time since I spent years teaching English at a large secondary school in the area. The environment had changed. Buildings looked crowded and dilapidated, with old posters peeling off the walls. There were tuck shops at virtually every street corner, with young and old selling watermelons, fruit in season, sweets, knickknacks and household necessities in quantities people could afford. I always wonder how people made a living from rickety stalls withplastic roofs, which are inadequate shelter in the rain and hot sun.
There are always idle hangers-on to keep the stall holders company, helping to spend the time of day.

Our project aims to help women run small businesses and grasp basic computer skills to improve their lives. The classes take place in an old community hall which has seen better days. The women probably felt they were in a goldfish bowl as my colleagues mingled with them, curious observers trying not to interrupt their learning. The tutors welcomed us enthusiastically and assembled the women in one large group. There were nearly fifty women of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Young mothers, unable to get babysitters, had brought their toddlers, some sitting on their mothers’ laps, others sprawled on the floor, taking naps.

After the round of introductions and words of encouragement, we heard the women’s stories. They chose a spokesperson who looked fifty years or more. She proudly went to the front of the room and started a chorus. Everyone got up, clapping and dancing to a song about how blessed they were to get an opportunity to further their education for free.

The woman shared her testimony while others nodded and whispered in agreement. She joined the training because it is never too late to learn basic computer skills and improve her income.Different narrators shared their life-changing stories about dropping out of school too early or needing to work. Others mentioned losing interest in schooling in their youth and, in hindsight, now realising lost opportunities to create a better life through formal education. Some ran small businesses selling tomatoes and cheap cosmetics at little profit. The new training made them realise that one does not know what one does not know.

One felt the confidence as they spoke about spreadsheets, surfing the internet and writing emails.Others had learnt basic bookkeeping, profit, and loss.We could have spent the whole day listening to inspiring stories of how an introductory two-week course had made such a difference in the community members’lives. There was a new sense of pride and camaraderie as the women mentored each other. Others talked of the anticipated joy of owning a certificate upon completing
the course.

The local Council has contributed the learning space and furniture to promote the success of this community project. A side room has been set aside for enterprising women from the same group who are recycling old glass bottles picked from rubbish heaps and crafted into tumblers, vases,ashtrays, and other saleable items.
Whether crowded around a few computers or working in cramped, dimly lit rooms, the women
are relishing the unique opportunity for continuous learning and nursing new dreams.