Halala: Woman Walked 8hrs to University Everyday, Now She’s a PhD Candidate
- A Zimbabwean woman, named Bongai Munguni has just become a joint PhD candidate at the University of Cape Town
- Once upon a time, the young girl spent an incredible 8hrs a day walking to and from her primary school
- She also spent her secondary school years working on a tea plantation since her family did not have the money to send her themselves
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Bongai Munguni is the joint PhD candidate making waves for her incredible story. The young Zimbabwean grew up in the small town of Chipinge, close to the border of Mozambique.
Source: Instagram
Determined to receive a primary school education, Munguni would awake at 5 am each morning and begin a four-hour trek to school. The young girl travelled light and walked barefoot because, as she says, "shoes were for special occasions"
Not even an eight-hour journey to and from primary school each day could shake barefooted scholar Bongai Munguni’s determination, UCT News reports.
Munguni was taken out of school for two and a half years after a Mozambican woman was murdered in her neighbourhood but continued to dream of an education. To pass the time, the young girl would sell bananas at her old school.
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A former teacher noticed her and, after explaining her situation, offered to pay for Munguni to write her grade 7 examinations.
An opportunity to earn-and-learn
Unfortunately, Munguni had little money for secondary school but, making the most of her situation the young girl found work at a Zimbabwean tea plantation offering "earn-and-learn" opportunities.
So, by day she was out in the fields picking tea; at night she studied hard to better her future.
“We picked tea leaves from 06:00 to midday and attended school from 13:00 to 19:00,” she recalled. “Combining school and work was very tough, but it was good, as it offered a means to an education for those who couldn’t afford normal schools.”
Admission into the University of Cape Town
After completing her Master's studies and working as a teacher, the young woman unexpectantly secured an opportunity at the University of Cape Town. She'd only meant to help a friend apply, sending in her details as a test run.
A few weeks later she received a message to say her PhD application to UCT’s School of Economics had been successful!
Although Munguni's journey has been difficult, it is a true testimony to what can be achieved with some hard work and determination.
Schoolboy seen doing homework under streetlight gifted utilities by well wishers
In related news, Briefly News previously reported that Salim Khamis, a Grade Six pupil from Jola Urabi Primary in Shanzu and who was captured on camera doing his homework using street light and his family are a relieved lot after receiving the much-needed help from well-wishers.
Homework under street lights
Briefly News has learnt Salim and his family on Friday, September 17, afternoon received a solar system thanks from contributions from well-wishers following a report by this site.
According to Gift A Girl Child Initiative's Diana Chitsaka Mwangala, Salim received a solar panel, a battery, switches, sockets, an inverter and bulbs to help him and his siblings study and complete their homework even at night.
Sharing the good news to Kenyans through Facebook, Diana posted photos of himself alongside environmentalist Emmanuel Mbaji Mruu who first shared Salim's photos online at an electricals shop buying the aforementioned items.
Diana thanked all the well-wishers who contributed to the worthy course.
"So far Soo Good we purchased a solar system. Solar panel, battery, switches, sockets, inverter, bulbs. Our boy is going to have free lights throughout. He can be able to study at home without any difficulties. God bless you abundantly my good friends and family for the support. Diana Chitsaka, Team Leader And Founder GIFT A GIRL CHILD INITIATIVE" Diana captioned.
The lady also shared photos of herself officially handing over the items to Salim's family at Shanzu.
"I delivered the solar system to the boy's mother. The boy was still at school. Thank you my Facebook friends for always standing with me in supporting our vulnerable children. May you not lack may the Lord fill the gap you left when you gave for the boy's support. Thanks, Guys I NOW DECLARE the fund drive CLOSED. Thank you guys barikiweni sana," Diana added.
According to Emmanuel Mbaji Mruu who first shared the photos online, Salim Khamisi is a Grade 6 pupil from Jola Urabi Primary in Shanzu Mtwapa.
He, however, wasn't able to enjoy the benefits of electricity because his parents were struggling financially and unable to buy tokens.
"I saw a zeal, I saw a great person in him. Can we help this brain?" pleaded Mruu.
He added that Salim lives with his mother, who is jobless, and an uncle who is a peasant mason. The house is rented and the family pays daily to use a prepaid solar lamp for the lights to remain on.
It was a revelation that pointed to the fact that having electricity is something many take for granted and it's only when such cases arise that the message hits home.
The boy's resilience and zeal for education in the wake of poverty touched many as they sent word out requesting help. A number of well-wishers started a drive that hopes to bring on board kind-hearted Kenyans who will support the boy out of his plight.
The idea was to buy the family a solar panel and a battery so that the young boy is able to study and do his homework at night without worrying about the tokens.
Source: Briefly News
