By Michael Gwarisa
Sometimes, all it takes for a destiny helper to find you is being at the right place at the right time. For Cecilia Mhande (20), from Karoi in Mashonaland West Province, it took her willingness to share her story as a beneficiary of the Sista2Sista program with journalists during the 2024 National AIDS Council (NAC) Editors Media Tour.
In 2023, when the Advanced Level (A Level) results were announced, Cecilia was overjoyed to discover she had passed with 11 points. However, her happiness was short-lived, as the grim reality of her family’s financial struggles made pursuing a university education seem impossible.
With her father visually impaired and unemployed, and her mother relying on occasional menial jobs in Karoi, university appeared to be a distant dream.
A day after her story was published in HealthTimes, a benefactor (who requested anonymity) contacted the publication, expressing a desire to pay for Cecilia’s university tuition.
I was very excited when HealthTimes profiled my story. I never thought it would reach so many people and change my life in such a way. To be honest, when I got a call from the NAC team informing me that someone had offered to pay for my university studies, I broke down. I have never cried like that before. I didn’t know how to react, I was overjoyed and overwhelmed at the same time,” said Cecilia.
She has since secured a place at Bindura University, where she will soon begin pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resource Management, though her first choice was Social Work.
“My wish was to become a Social Worker, and I hope I get the opportunity to switch to my first choice soon,” she said.
A few days after the NAC team informed her of the offer, the benefactor contacted Cecilia directly. They initially spoke over the phone, and later, the benefactor invited Cecilia to meet her in person in Banket.
“It all felt like a dream to me. The professor sent me money for bus fare to meet her in Banket. During that meeting, we discussed my future and shared more about ourselves. That moment showed me that there are still good-hearted people out there, willing to help someone they don’t even know. I am going to university because of her,” Cecilia said.
Her tuition for the first semester has already been paid in full, and the professor remains in touch with her. For Cecilia, the journey is just beginning, she still has three years of study ahead. She dreams of inspiring other girls to dream big and pursue their goals. She credits the Sista2Sista program for connecting her to her destiny helper.
“I want to encourage girls in my community to join the Sista2Sista program. You never know, your destiny helper might find you there. I thank HealthTimes for covering my story, and I hope they continue profiling other girls with great potential. There are so many girls out there who can achieve great things, but their challenges limit them. Some end up succumbing to the pressures of this world because of their circumstances,” added Cecilia.
The National AIDS Council (NAC) is implementing the Sista2Sista program in 25 HIV hotspot districts across Zimbabwe, including Karoi. This out-of-school initiative targets girls and young women aged 17 to 24 years, providing them with guidance and support to navigate life’s challenges.
“I joined the Sista2Sista program when I was still in primary school. In my community, you find that most young girls rush into marriages without even a clue of what life and marriage bring. This is why I joined the Sista2Sista program, I wanted to escape from these vices,” shared Cecilia.
Beyond offering Cecilia and other girls a safe space, the Sista2Sista program equips them with essential life skills, including lessons on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), economic empowerment, and financial management, among other crucial topics.
It often takes one woman to lift another. Although Cecilia’s benefactor has chosen to remain anonymous, she is a distinguished academic whose mission is to help more women reach their full potential despite the obstacles they face. Her generosity and belief in Cecilia have rekindled hope for many girls whose dreams seemed shattered by their circumstances.
