Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa, Features Writer
SHE is the dazzling pride of her mother and her father’s sparkling jewel.
The only blessing that Mr Gift Phiri and his wife, Rose Leveni truly cherish.
A lone child, Dr Mitchelle Phiri (27) made a vow to make her parents proud, little did she know that she would also inspire an entire community.
Despite the odds, her relentless hard work is finally paying off.
Growing up on the dusty roads of Chakari, nestled between Kadoma and Chegutu, this vibrant young optometrist struggled to believe she would be where she is today.
Chakari is a small gold mining community where gender-based violence and prostitution are the order of the day.
Unlike well-managed giant mines, Chakari, with mixed-ethnic groups dominated by those of Malawian and Zambian origins, is a ghost settlement where many live from hand to mouth.
Young men risk it all by entering aged and disused mine shafts in search of the precious yellow metal.
On the flip side, the settlement is also known for its football culture, particularly Falcon Gold, nicknamed “Bwela ufe” (Come and die).
Chakari is home to football greats like Willian Chirwa who was a legendary goalkeeper at the Eastlands and Mashonaland FC.
Other players including Mutambarika Chirwa, David “Gwejegweje” Phiri, Partson Muzhuzha, Aidan Sweet, Crispen “Dhumbe” Phiri, Astood Zulu and Langton Penyani were also from this area.
Dr Phiri’s rise from Chakari signifies how luck and fate favours all.
Not only has she become the first optometrist in her family, but she is also breaking barriers in her community.
Even Sanyati Baptist High School, where she did her Form One to Form Six studies, proudly celebrates her as she continues to inspire young girls.
When she enrolled for high school, her parents made the ultimate sacrifice, trading everything they had for her future.
Determined to give their daughter the best education despite the challenges they faced, the couple dived head-first into a whirlwind of hard work and sacrifice.
Her father, a devoted general hand at a local mining firm, faced the toughest of odds, spending his days cutting grass and tackling gruelling menial tasks.
His tireless efforts and unwavering determination propelled her through Advanced Level education, turning dreams into reality against all odds.
“Watching my dad coming home daily with cracked and sore hands affected me. Each time I asked him, he would say all was well.
“My father was a general worker who at one point was tasked to cut grass and this happened when I was in Form One,” she said.
While her father was all over doing everything he could to raise funds for her education, Dr Phiri’s mother was on the other hand trying to make as much as she could from her small vending business.
“Together with my mother, they sacrificed everything for me to get an education,” she said.
Dreams in Chakari often felt distant but that did not stop her from giving it her best shot.
Dr Phiri refused to let her humble beginnings define her.
Despite her background and her parents’ financial standing, Dr Phiri wanted to prove that even those from humble situations can still rise.
After enrolling at Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), she became a trailblazer. She was one of the first 13 students selected to study optometry under the Government’s innovative STEM programme, which she benefitted from for a year.
STEM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is a cutting-edge educational approach designed to ignite problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creativity.
It’s the heartbeat of modern educational policies.
“Growing up, picturing someone as an eye doctor or prominent somebody was just a dream where I come from. It seemed unachievable for many youngsters, but I was determined to make a difference,” she recalled, reflecting on her inspiring journey.
At one point, the allure of the mining world almost led her to geology, but fate had other plans, steering her towards the field of optometry.
With the Government pushing to decentralise education, BUSE introduced a new optometry course to tackle pressing health challenges, an initiative aligned with the Second Republic’s bold Heritage-Based
Education 5.0.
Midlands State University (MSU) also kicked off its medicine programme, broadening opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals.
At BUSE, Dr Phiri stood out as a star student in Science and Mathematics.
She recalled how her first encounter with the human eye and brain during practical sessions were exhilarating, despite the initial shock of working in the Cadaver Labs at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and MSU.
“It was surreal to witness a human body for the first time,” she shared with a smile.
“It shook me a bit, making it hard to eat meat for a while, but that’s a rite of passage for medical students.”
Her hard work paid off as she soared through her courses, impressing both practically and theoretically.
It was during this time that her extraordinary potential caught the eye of her mentor who later became her boss, Dr Claudio Mtuwa, the chairman of the Department of Optometry at BUSE.
Dr Phiri’s story took an exciting turn when she played a role in welcoming President Mnangagwa during his visit to the institution, showcasing her dedication and passion for her field.
It did not take long for Dr Phiri to draw the attention of some respected names in the profession.
Her boss, Dr Mtuwa, Zimbabwe’s first male and second black optometrist, entrusted her to manage three of his Opticare Opticians branches in Kadoma, Kwekwe and Chegutu.
The three thriving surgeries have helped fulfill her dreams while carrying a story that is both heart-breaking and incredibly inspiring.
The youthful doctor’s journey is not just a story of academic success, it’s a testament to her unyielding spirit and determination to make a difference in her community.
She has not forgotten her roots and how far she has come. Dr Phiri reaches out to various communities, offering free eye care services. She also donates groceries to disadvantaged members of her community.
A poignant reminder that no matter how far you go in life, never forget where you came from.
