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“l used to believe happy families are a gift from God, a privilege for a few. I was convinced I belonged to the unfortunate group, who can only see happy families from a distance. My husband was a dominant person. He would demand respect as a father and head of family by whatever means possible. Even if it meant we had to always jump to make him feel powerful, then that was good for him. There are several times when l wanted to suggest something as a wife, but all my suggestions were turned down. “Since when did married women start calling orders?’’ that was his response always.

 

The programme funded by Irish Aid through SAfAIDS and Bekezela has assisted 15 children from vulnerable households of Siganda communal area in Bubi District of Matabeleland North access education. These children are part of a large pool of children from the community who are struggling to pay school levies.

I am Misheck Sanyamaropa acting headman of Sanyamaropa village in Nyanga District under DOMCCP a SAfAIDS partner. SAfAIDS Fatherhood Club is inducing a positive emotion in my life. I married young and taking care of my family was a bit challenging. My wife was a violent person and l had to endure her aggression most of the time. I felt that it was not her fault because she had been exposed to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) from a tender age.

The SAfAIDS Leadership Programme came after the realization that there is a leadership gap amongst adolescent girls and young women, especially in areas of Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH), Gender and HIV. The academy is therefore building young people who are empowered, educated, healthy, resilient  and  socially  responsible. 

My heart aches at the thought of any kid who is unable to attend school as a result of poverty. I believe that at least if they write can their own names, there is a glimmer of hope in their life. All this compassion emanates from my childhood, as I grew up as an orphan, with little confidence in my capabilities.  I had to plead and obey whatever was required of me by my guardians. After all, I felt they were doing me a favour. I felt it was my responsibility to repay them for my upbringing to ensure that other vulnerable children got the opportunity to education through my good deeds.

Being a leader is not just a position but knowing who you are is real leadership. My poor background did not stop me to become the person l wanted to be. It actually motivated me to become a better person. When l am talking to young people, l feel like a role model and that taught me that in life, one can be whatever he/she wants to be. I have this passion to change Africa, and l believe one day l can!

It is always a hustle when you believe you are somehow superior to girls in the same class as yours. Back then l never knew what gender norm transformation was. I grew up with the belief that girls are confined to domestic chores, whether at home or at school, their roles will never change. I was the number one advocator misleading other boys in my class not to ever pick a broom to sweep in the classroom. To me that was all girls’ work.

In an effort to bring young people together, SAfAIDS conducted a Youth for Gender Transformation (Y4GT) club youth camp under the Integrated Approach to HIV and Gender Based Violence (Irish Aid Zimbabwe) programme at Mbizi Game Lodge in Harare. Thirty young people were drawn from SAfAIDS partners including Bekezela, Ndaiziva, DOMCAP, FACT Chiredzi and Betserenai. The Youth camp, a first of its kind brought together young people

I would like to tell you my “l story” as a Young for Gender Transformation Club Facilitator (Y4GT). When l was sixteen last year (2016), l was chosen by my guide and counselling teacher to join the Y4GT club. This was because l always come out as an ambitious and innovative young leader who is consistent in standing for the rights of women.

I am a product of one of the guerrilla fighters who were moving around the country during the time of ceasefire (liberation struggle), raping vulnerable women without giving a hoot. My mother as one of the victims was raped in 1979 and gave birth to me in 1980. She cursed herself so much that she was haunted psychologically. Two years after my birth, she passed on.