3rd Cohort Graduation

It is only fitting that the last day of any month should end in festivity and jubilation. And indeed for us it did on the 30th April as we hosted our graduating class of 2023 in what can only be described as an exciting and touching ceremony at the esteemed Girls High School.

Our graduation was graced by our honored guests who included Mr Shepherd Mawire-Malilangwe Trust, Mr Muchandiona-LION Club, Mr Marunga-PPC Primary & Secondary School, Professor Nziramasanga a beloved friend of Teach For Zimbabwe and board advisor, Mr Kipson Gundani-CEO Roundtable, Ms Makaita Shumba-National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Zimbabwe(NANGO) and etseemed guest of honor from the Education Coalition of Zimbabwe, Ms Lydia Maadzyirapanze.

The two year fellowship!

What a journey and not an easy one at that, admittedly. For some, this fellowship is a plunge into a unkown world with experiences far divorced from their reality. Given that a significant number of our fellows have grown up in urban communities and that for these this is their first brush with life in the rural community, their resilience is a testament to the far-reaching impact of the program. In addition? The strength and determination of the human spirit.

For those were born and raised in these communities, these two years have opened up possibilities and new insights never dreamed of before.

Yet this is what this initiative stands for.

Within every person is a leader and this program is designed to chisel that leadership potential out. Granted the process is by no means an easy one. We can however say with pride that we have been putting out leaders since 2021.

The cream of our society as we love to call them.

During our ceremony a few of our fellows were granted the opportunity to share their experiences and takeaways from the fellowship.

Tanatswa Chimusimbe a vibrant  and passionate young lady shared a honest sentiment on how it was a struggle to adapt to the rural environment having been private school educated and grown up in an upper middle class family. However a drastic change in lifestyle was not enough to deter her. Tanatswa not only thrived in the community of her placement, turned a low performing class into a high performing one but has gone a step further and taken children under her wing who’s education she is funding.

Another touching anecdote was shared by Gladys Gumunyu who went on to describe the discrimination she faced as a young single mother from members of her rural community. The fellowship offered her the opportunity to start over in a different community which is just what she needed to regain her confidence. Today Gladys has returned to her community not only as changemaker, taking other young mothers under her wing but as a Teach For Zimbabwe leadership coach representing the Mutoko District.

That deserves a standing ovation reader!

More speeches and testimonies were shared by other fellows including Blessing Kapanga, Rodreck Nyakabawu, Annle Ncube and a powerful supplication by public speaker and special needs educator/specialist Tsitsi Ndhlondhlo. What they shared truly showcased how remarkable they are though in truth this applies to every single fellow.

We are so proud of you 3rd Cohort and we know you will continue to shine.

I’ll steal a line from a statement made by one of our esteemed guests from The Malilangwe Trust,

“A car was created to drive on the rough terrain, that’s where it’s true potential is showcased. Today you are being released to drive. It is time for the world to know who you really are”

Today you are indeed fishers of men.

Shine on 3rd Cohort!