Nancy: Education is most powerful when we use it to solve real problems

6 minute read

When I was a little girl, my mother would tell me how her life could have been better if she’d had the opportunity to be educated. She overworked herself trying to keep me in school and ensure we had food. My father once shared a story of Nancy, the educated young woman he hoped I’d one day become. These stories stuck with me. Through them, I believed from a very young age that education was the key I needed to unlock financial independence for me and my family.

Living through the challenges of hunger and poverty, and seeing the vulnerability of smallholder farmers who depend on farming, I grew up with a strong passion to change the narrative.  I was determined to become economically independent, solve hunger problems in my community, and be a voice for the marginalized population. 

A photo from my school days!

I was struggling to stay in school, and after dropping out twice, CAMFED stepped in to support my education. I took advantage of the material support and mentoring, which helped me to thrive. I knew then that my circumstances wouldn’t determine my destination. 

I first met my mentor, Winnie Farao, when I was about 16. I was a teenager with big dreams but navigating uncommon ground. Winnie was one of the first members of the CAMFED Association, a movement of women leaders educated with CAMFED support. She helped me become the best version of myself through guidance, accountability, encouragement, and she challenged me to grow. I have experienced what it means to have someone believe in me, guide me and help me see possibilities beyond my immediate circumstances.  

Winnie’s mentorship is a constant pillar in my life to this day!

Following my dreams

After completing school in 2014, I joined the CAMFED Association and set my sights on becoming a sustainable agriculture expert. I wanted to understand how we could produce food more sustainably, improve agricultural productivity, and help farmers earn better incomes. 

Being accepted to study at EARTH University in Costa Rica was a life-changing opportunity. Coming from a background where financial challenges had interrupted my education, the opportunity CAMFED linked me to, to pursue a fully funded university degree with support from the Mastercard Foundation, was both exciting and deeply meaningful. 

During my degree, I was exposed to people, ideas and agricultural practices from different parts of the world. I also learned the importance of responsible leadership, sustainability, teamwork and using my knowledge to serve others.

One of my biggest lessons was that education is most powerful when we use it to solve real problems. I returned with a stronger commitment to contribute to Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation, to improve food systems, and to pursue my entrepreneurship journey. 

Here I am graduating from Earth University!

Today, I am building my entrepreneurial journey through my agribusiness venture: Novagra Incorporated. Novagra is on a mission to contribute to Africa’s food system by responding to questions like: How can we make farming profitable without compromising public health? How can we build competitive enterprises that still protect the people they serve?  

My vision is to create opportunities for rural women and young people, reduce food losses and make better use of locally available resources. My studies and work experience opened my eyes to the importance of combining scientific knowledge with practical solutions that respond to farmers’ realities.

I am hopeful about the role agriculture can play in Zimbabwe’s future. When I participate in policy engagements, I advocate for innovation driven by communities, and solutions that address our needs. With the right investment, agriculture can become a source of dignified employment, stronger rural economies and improved food security.

Paying it forward

Today, I enjoy supporting other young women as they navigate education, career development, and entrepreneurship. I have learned from my journey of being mentored that at some point in life you need someone who believes in you before you fully believe in yourself.

That’s why I became a Business Guide with CAMFED. I believe that women should have the knowledge, confidence and support they need to build sustainable businesses. As an entrepreneur myself, I understand that starting a business can be exciting but also challenging, particularly when you have limited resources or lack access to people who can guide you. What I enjoy most about mentoring is seeing someone begin to believe in her own ability. 

I use my experiences to support CAMFED Association members to start new businesses. I create spaces for fellow sisters to learn about available funding. We also discuss marketing strategies and basic business principles. By 2026, our Business Guides have already supported nearly 130,000 businesses.  

I love using my education to lead change in my community!

Our powerful sisterhood is turning hope into action

Being part of the CAMFED Association has changed my life in beyond imaginable ways. It has given me a community of women who understand the power of education because we have experienced how it can transform our lives and open doors that once seemed closed to us. 

I have a network of sisters who have genuinely contributed to my personal growth: a sister patiently teaching me my very first computer skills, another assisting me to apply for university opportunities, and yet another sister willing to spend the night after a busy day helping me build a compelling CV. I am grateful to the sisters who have made me feel seen, supported, and valued. They have taught me to lead without fear or hesitation. 

The CAMFED Association reminds me that I am not walking this journey alone. We are part of something bigger than ourselves: a network of women who are determined to make education count and to ensure that other girls have opportunities to learn, lead and thrive. 

Together, we are turning hope into action in our communities by renovating schools, contributing to school meal programs with crops grown in our nutritional gardens, and we also do home visits where we support young mothers to return to school.

It is not simply an association I belong to. It is a sisterhood, a source of strength and a reminder that together, we can create a better future for the next generation.

What makes me hopeful is seeing the determination, creativity and potential of young people and women, even when they face difficult circumstances. I know from my own experience that poverty and setbacks can make the future seem uncertain, but I also know how much can change when someone receives an opportunity, encouragement and the chance to learn.

My hope is for a Zimbabwe where education is never seen as a privilege. Where a girl’s education is not determined by her family’s financial circumstances. Where young people can find meaningful opportunities at home. And where women have the resources and confidence to participate fully in economic life.

I am inspired by other young women who are also pursuing education, starting businesses, supporting their families, and taking up leadership roles in their communities. Our stories are a reminder that investing in one girl can have an impact that reaches far beyond the individual.