THE PROOF ~ "The Thirst for Education"

Many times in our Newsletter which is sent out monthly in pdf, and in this blog, we report the insatiable desire of young people in Africa to better themselves through education. As far as EDUCATING OTHERS is concerned, we have to look no further than two of our own Trustees - Phithi and Kuda. These two young men are a shining example of the determination to succeed in their chosen fields. The story of their journey through their school and university lives is an example to all students world-wide. We are printing two self portraits of this journey. The first is Phithi's and is taken from our Newsletter of January 2010, and this is followed by Kuda's account. No further comment is required - the accounts speak for themselves and are an inspiration to all who read them

Phithizela Ngcobo

I was born to a simple family in the rural area of Zimbabwe in the southern part of the country known as Matabeleland. My father worked in the city while we lived in the village with my mother. My late mother, (let her dear soul rest in peace), was a simple rural woman who never got a chance to go to school, but surprisingly seemed to understand the importance of education more than most people around her. She always emphasised that with education, I could be anything I wished to be, but in particular she would encourage us to learn so that we could be able to stand on our feet in the future. Even after my father's passing away in 1997 while I was still an 'A' Level student, my mother was prepared to sell even her last teaspoon and pin to make sure that I completed my studies and went to University. Fortunately at that time, university education was still free in Zimbabwe so I knew that passing 'A' Levels would be the last hedge to jump.  

After completing my first degree and working in Zimbabwe as a Book Editor, I had the best opportunity in life when Oxford Brookes University offered me a Scholarship to study for a Masters Degree in Publishing. Looking back now, I realise what a privilege this was for me, but I also realise that there are so many intelligent children out there who are not clamouring for a Master degree, but a basic education that will enable them to stand on their own. So my resolve is to raise some funds to donate to charities that are trying to help children, who are the future. 

I have published books from the primary school to the higher education level. However, my  main area of interest is in Children's publishing, that is, publishing books aimed at young children and teenagers. My focus is on the issues that affect  children, the values that writers and editors pass on to them through books.  I  also  look  at  the  use  of  language,  its   suitability to children of a certain age group and how parents and guardians can play a role in making sure children access the books that are relevant and suitable for them. It is this area of interest that encouraged me to venture into charity work focusing on  children.  My future dream is to start a publishing house publishing books that focus on children and help them to become responsible adults who will mould our world for better.

I am also a co-founder of an Oxford-based book publisher, Oxford-Mosaic Publications,  founded in 2008,  which publishes books in social sciences and the humanities.

Phithi with his mother in 2002
 

I realised that I did not have much resources myself and my meagre donation may be a mockery to these charities, but I remembered the words of Mother Theresa, a great woman of all time. She said,

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

 AND

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

I then realised that what matters is not how much you have, but the heart to give. I shared my idea with some friends and David, a father figure to me and his wonderful wife Brenda, (who incidentally shares the same name and birthday with my younger sister Brenda), agreed to partner me by matching whatever donation I make towards charity every month. I am ever so grateful to them for their support, friendship, love and their guidance will ever be a great part of the story of my life. Through them, I have realised how as human beings, we are a family that is scattered across the globe and that wherever we go, there is a part and members of our family, we only need to open our eyes and heart to meet them.  David, Brenda and myself are very much excited with this idea because we feel that we have the opportunity to make a difference to other people's lives out there and are confident that God will give us strength and ability to do the little that we can do to make a difference.

Kudakwashe Lionel Kupara

 Kuda

I am commonly known as Kuda, am a Biochemist, philosopher and writer currently pursuing doctoral studies in Biology at Texas A and M University, in College Station, Texas (USA). My current scientific interests are in Molecular Genetics specifically Epigenetics and genomic "homeostasis" or simply stated “how the cell makes decisions” 

In contrast to my background in Biological Sciences I am currently pursuing literary writing projects. My writings are on general perceptions of life, reality and ethics expressed in fiction writings and articles on global international affairs as well as politics.  I have strong philan-thropic convictions which emanate strongly in my writings.

I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, to a large family, on the 11^th of September 1983 at a time when my mother was a primary school teacher and my father was a laboratory technician at a non-alcoholic beverage company. Although my parents passed on long before their days, they would have been proud to see how much the strong emphasis they placed on the value of education inspired me: I obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree at the University of Zimbabwe in 2005 and a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology in 2007 at the same university.

In addition to the inspiration I drew from my parents another major proponent of my academic ambition was the value upon which I place innovation and creativity in a world that is becoming increasingly challenging. I strongly believe that “We can only secure the future of our generation and generations to come if we learn from today and create new knowledge for tomorrow”, which is one of the reasons why I aim to remain involved in active research whilst teaching at the same time.

I have been participating in voluntary peer counselling training directed towards lessening the devastation of the scourge of HIV and AIDS in my home country, Zimbabwe. I have also been involved in environmental awareness campaigns that also focused on the socio-economic environment which involved liaison with orphanages in Zimbabwe. During the course of this voluntary work, I “experienced a most amazing awakening. I saw myself in every single one of those orphans. If my parents, before their days ended, set me on the path of education, then why should any child be denied this chance?” Because of this, I was naturally drawn to the cause of David, Brenda and Phithi of “Educating Others”. “One child educated is a generation rescued”.