Linda & Melody on the Economist Foundation’s student hub - Video Transcript

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Watch Linda & Melody on the Economist Foundation’s student hub

Linda, CAMFED IT Officer Hello everyone, I’m Linda Bhebhe, an IT officer for CAMFED, the Campaign for Female Education in Africa (Zimbabwe). 

Melody, CAMFED District Operations Officer And I am Melody Jori, District Operations Officer at CAMFED.

Linda, CAMFED IT Officer Both of us are from disadvantaged communities in rural Zimbabwe. 

Melody, CAMFED District Operations Officer We were supported through school by CAMFED and now we lead on CAMFED programmes. 

Linda, CAMFED IT Officer We work tirelessly with partner schools and communities to ensure that thousands more girls get the chance that we got. 

Linda, CAMFED IT Officer The chance to go to school, to thrive, and to become independent and influential. 

Linda, CAMFED IT Officer We can’t wait to receive all your questions.

Cheers!

Q&A

Linda, CAMFED IT Officer And there’s another question saying, “What hard times have you been through, and how do you deal with them?”

I remember when I finished my secondary school before I enrolled into University, I starting feeling inferior in my community. I was no longer wearing a school uniform, which CAMFED had provided for me – hence I needed better clothes to wear and be presentable among other children.

Some men asked me to marry them in “exchange for” a “good living” or clothes, but I did not give in to their requests. I knew I was destined for greatness. My struggles were just temporary. I am glad that nowadays young girls are no longer facing such challenges, because CAMFED has empowered Transition Guides in the communities, whose goal is to guide young women as they transition from secondary school into their adulthood.

There’s another question saying, “Hi Linda, how did you overcome difficulties to reach this position, and what advice would you give to girls?” 

In response to that I would say, despite my background, getting the opportunity to go to school made me unstoppable. I became more confident and even stepped up as a leader, which saw me becoming a Child Parliamentarian for my constituency just at the age of 13! 

Now I am proud of myself because I am in the field of IT, which is [still] male-dominated. To every girl out there, please take up challenges, believe in yourself, remain focused and grab opportunities that come your way!