“I was facing immense difficulties with my studies,” Lisa confessed, her voice filled with a hint of despair. “My academic performance began to plummet, and I reached a point where I was on the verge of giving up. It was not just me; my peers and I were unable to attend classes regularly because we struggled to complete our homework due to a lack of understanding. The absence of motivation loomed over us all, as we believed that pursuing Advanced-level education was an unattainable dream, considering the limited number of individuals who had managed to achieve it in our community.”

But in 2022, everything changed when CARE’s Supporting Transition, Retention and Training for girls (START4Girls) project funded by Global Affairs Canada stepped in to make a difference. The project uses various programs to improve access to and completion of educational learning among adolescent girls and young women, including those with disabilities, in crisis affected communities in Zimbabwe.

The project provided study packs to 51 schools in Buhera Rural District including Chitora High School in Zimunya Ward 21, where Lisa benefitted. These study packs contained materials for five subjects, specifically tailored to the requirements of the Form four O’Level curriculum. With the study packs, they finally had the resources they needed to grasp the concepts and prepare effectively for their exams.

“The study packs made life so much easy for us. We also started Girls Network Study Groups which helped us to share valuable information. I became a study group chair facilitating other students to study. When we wrote exams, I was surprised to see exactly what we had studied. I passed my O level with flying colours and I am now the first out of 6 siblings to proceed to A’ level.”

The impact of the study packs was remarkable making an incredible difference in the lives of these students. The final Ordinary level pass rates at Chitora Secondary School  rose significantly, from a meagre 18.6% in 2022 to an inspiring 26.3% in 2023.

With newfound confidence, Lisa began to dream bigger. She knows firsthand the transformative power of knowledge, and she wants to dedicate her life to making education accessible to all.

Confidently, Lisa shares her current journey as an A-level student and her future aspirations. “Now, as an A-level student, I have found renewed determination,” she declares. “I aspire to become a nurse or a development worker, with a specific focus on teaching and training in the field of education. I want to make a meaningful impact by improving access to quality education and empowering others to overcome the challenges I faced. It is my way of giving back to my community and creating a brighter future for those who come after me.”