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Her Story
Lived experience, told in the first person.
How This Woman Achieved Her Dream of Completing Her Education Despite Enormous Challenges
“I was born in a very disadvantageous family that led [to] me being raised and growing up in diverse places and environments," Nandipha told The Weight She Carries. "My mother couldn’t afford to take all us to school so she had to give us (me and my twin sister) [to] other family members who were willing to help. Sometimes I’d drop [out of] school in the middle of the year beca
Rev. Sarah Malete Discusses Raising a Child with Autism
Reverend Sarah Malete, an ordained minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, was very excited when she discovered she was expecting her fifth child. She narrated to The Weight She Carries, “When l discovered that l was expecting my fifth child, we were all excited. l even wished it would be a girl since l only had one girl. When the scan was performed and we found out it was a bo
Accomplished Entrepreneur Tofara Chokera Shares Tips on How to Become a Successful Businesswoman
Growing up, she wanted to be a bank teller or a teacher. Now, she is a professional IT engineer, internet marketing expert and entrepreneur. "I never had aspecific dream. I admired the ladies who worked in banks because of how theydressed and looked. At the same time, I wanted to be a teacher, gettinginspiration from my mother who was already in the field," she said.
From Doctor to Award-Winning Author: How Maria Phalime Followed Her Dream
Maria Phalime had finally become a doctor but soon realized it didn't give her the fulfillment she hoped it would, and the demands of her job became overwhelming. She chose to walk away and has now found success as a motivational speaker, coach and author.
Sharai Makota Shares How She is Rebuilding Her Life After Tragedy
Going from being an able-bodied teacher to being paralyzed is not easy, especially when your partner who vowed to be with you through thick and thin files for divorce. The following story is about 57-year-old Sharai Makota who was involved in an accident that changed her whole life and how she managed to get back on her feet. This is her story:
How This Woman's Big Heart Led to a Special Relationship with a Child in Need
Despite losing two biological children, Sithembile Ncube has had the privilege of being a mother through being a caregiver to a paraplegic child. Sithembile Ncube grew up in Mberengwa where she attended school up to Grade 2. She failed to continue her education due to her parents splitting up. At a young age, she and her brother went to live with extended family members, but in
Burn Survivor Gertrude Katula Talks Finding Love and Purpose
My name is Gertrude Katula. When I was young, I used to lie next to the fireplace oblivious of the danger I was exposing myself to. However, when I was three years old, the reality of it dawned on me in the most cruel way.
How Priscilla Schaufelberger Survived Being Sexually Abused by Her Father
Born in 1959 in Ndola, a city in Zambia, Priscilla is the firstborn in a family of eight. She grew up with her grandmother in Twapia Township; however, her grandmother’s house was close to her mother's residence.
How I Started Over as a Widow After Losing Everything to my In-Laws
Esther Wanjiku Kabeni was wife to a corporal in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) until an unfortunate event in 2016. Not only did she lose her husband, his family was intent on stripping her of everything the couple owned, claiming all their household items belonged to their son. This is her story:
From the Loss of a Baby to a Life-Threatening Health Condition: How This Woman Survived Against all Odds
Nobubele Ngulube married her best friend in 2017 and the couple discovered they were expecting two months into their marriage."From the first day, it was challenging," Nobubele told The Weight She Carries. "I had severe morning sickness, headaches and fatigue for months on end. Around week 20 of my pregnancy I developed some swelling in my face, hands and feet. But because all
Learning to Love my Scarred Body
It was a normal day for Cynthia Kunze when she and her boss, who was also her friend, went home. They had crossed the first lane of the busy Simon Mazorodze Road in Harare, Zimbabwe, and were waiting to cross the other lane. Everything changed in a split of a second.
It Didn't Work Out
The keys are still where I left them. Everything is quiet here. There is no life, save for nature. The house which was supposed to be filled with laughter is empty. My laughter, our laughter. It reminds me of the past. A past which I wish I could change and relive.