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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
AT 24, Dianarose Chinyai was fast losing hope of realising her dream of becoming a lawyer.
Besides her impoverished background, she managed to score 18 points at Advanced Level.
Life has never been a bed of roses for Dianarose as she grew up with her divorced mother and two siblings deep in the thickets of remote Tiya Village in Chimanimani District.
Dianarose had to wait for four years to proceed to A-Level as her mother could not afford to pay her fees.
When she finally made it to A-Level, she did not disappoint and would burn the midnight oil to realise her dream.
Having been impressed by her resilience, Herentals Group of Colleges came to Dianarose’s rescue and availed a scholarship for her to enrol for a law degree at the University of Zimbabwe.
Dianarose is now over the moon and heartily thanked Herentals Group of College for the gesture.
“I really want to thank Herentals College for affording me this opportunity. This is something that I have been waiting for my whole life. I really want to thank them and urge them to continue doing this to every deserving candidate, especially those with the same social background as mine.
“I grew up with my mother and two siblings. Life was never easy since my mother was left alone to bear the burden of taking care of us.
“Looking back, I feel for my mother for the hustles she went through to ensure that we get education.
“My mother is a nurse aide at a timber company in Chimanimani and what she gets monthly is hardly enough to cater for the needs of the three children, but somehow she soldiered on.
“At one point I had to be out of school after my mother failed to pay for my A-Level studies. I understood that because at that time, my sister and brother were in college and my father was not supportive.
“I spent four years waiting to proceed to A-Level and when I finally managed to proceed, I made sure I had to pass with flying colours,” said Dianarose.
Perhaps Dianarose who posted average results in her early academic studies is a late bloomer after she attained 16 units at Grade Seven.
“I did not do very well in primary school and came out with 16 units at Grade Seven. I never gave up and my aunt offered to help me with my secondary education.
“I came out with one A and eight Cs at Ordinary Level. I had to wait for four years to proceed to A-Level because of financial challenges,” said Dianarose.
Herentals Group of Colleges administrator, Mr Julius Maredza urged the girl child to take education seriously.
“We are proud to be associated with high fliers like Dianarose Chinyai. This is what we want from the majority of our pupils. As a college, through our Corporate Social Responsibility arm, we will continue supporting all deserving pupils who excel and cannot fund their tertiary education,” he said.
Herentals Group of Colleges’ Eastern Region manager, Mr Joseph Chivhuro said: “What is outstanding about Dianarose Chinyai’s achievements is that she had to be very patient after completing O-Level. She waited for four years before proceeding to A-Level.
“We all know what is happening in our community as far as the girl child is concerned. This actually shows the determination and thank God, Herentals Group of Colleges managed to chip in.”
Interestingly, Dianarose chose to pursue a law degree because of what her mother went through in trying to get her father to contribute to their upbringing.
“I seriously considered pursuing a law degree because of the challenges that my mother faced in trying to get our father contribute to our upbringing. I just felt one day I need to help more women in that predicament,” she said.
Online Reporter