Chronicle Editor
Yvonne Ncube, Showbiz Correspondent
FORMER Miss Tourism Bulawayo, Anelisiwe Ndebele has come up with a trust that advocates for the reintegration of teenage mothers into the education system.
The fourth runner-up at Miss Zimbabwe Queen 2022 said that her personal experience inspired her to start the initiative.
Along with her board of trustees, Tariro Mafa and Fanele Magumbo, they have toured multiple rural areas which include Tsholotsho and Plumtree.
In an interview, the 28-year-old model said educating one girl child means educating the entire nation.
“The initiative is one that is close to my heart. I believe that young girls deserve a second chance when they find themselves in situations that are meant to set them back. The reintegration of teenage mothers into the education system is an initiative that I am pioneering with two other women under our trust called Young Women Development Trust. Its aim is to provide a support system for teenage mothers so they can have a fresh start.
“Teenage mothers are marginalised and I believe that once we afford them an opportunity at attaining educational qualifications, we give them a chance to be able to take care of themselves and their children. The trust also seeks to cater for young women through advocacy which is in line with menstrual hygiene and mental health,” said Ndebele.
She said her personal experience inspired her to advocate for the education of teenage mothers.
“I am an orphan. I was given a second chance at education by my adoptive family. Had they not shown empathy towards me I wouldn’t be the woman that I am today. My own life story inspired me to want to inspire others. Sometimes giving an individual an opportunity is all that is required to change a lot of situations in our societies.
“I wish that teenage mothers can be given an opportunity to attain education for free. This will lessen their burden of juggling between being mothers when they are children themselves and being full-time students. If they are afforded free, accessible, and quality education they will be in a better position to break the cycles of poverty, which is a reality for most of these young mothers,” she said.
Ndebele said their trust has been doing a door-to-door outreach in rural areas.
“We have been doing door-to-door visits, especially in the rural areas. Most teenage mothers have expressed an interest to further their studies.
They also have challenges with how they will manage to be in school and be mothers at the same time. The challenges they face are that they will not have babysitters while they are at school and basic food provisions as they now have to fully fend for themselves and their children.
“We are looking into different ways of helping these young mothers and we hope to come up with solutions to these problems through the help of their communities,” she said.
Ndebele is also the founder of Adopt a Child in Education, a trust that deals with sending underprivileged children to school. – @SeehYvonne
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo