<p>THE LONG JOURNEY-WE ALL HAVE ONE</p>
<p>Growing up in Kafue was very fun and called for much creativity. As a, child my main occupation was playing outside all day and when my parents dragged me back to the house, l watched movies for the rest of the day. During the day, l would go out with my friends to explore the hills and make dolls out of sticky mud and wire. I was a bit of a mini fashion designer as l could draw and sow clothes for my dolls.</p>
<p>It was such an adventure and I always felt I was constantly seeking to know more about everything. Getting into my teenage years however brought a different experience to my life in Kafue. The days of blithely child’s play had ended. All I could see were my fellow peers involving themselves in all types of execrable behavior, for now, alcohol, drugs and teenage pregnancies was the reality in Kafue. I got a rude awakening to this when one of my friends got pregnant. She dropped out of school in the eighth grade and was sent to go and live with her boyfriend’s parents. She suffered greatly as she had to depend on her boyfriend who didn’t even have a job. This ordeal made me realize just how important school is. As a girl in Zambia, we are mostly taught to be good at domestic tasks like cleaning and cooking so that we could be good wives. Whether you succeed in school isn’t a priority as long as you can cook and clean.</p>
<p>I’ve always known l wanted more from life, but l didn’t believe in myself. On one blissful morning, my mum gave me a book that l believe changed my life. I was reluctant to read it but when l did, my life changed to new dimensions. Reading Ben Carsons ''gifted hands" novel taught me that l can be anyone l want to be, that no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, we have the power to overcome and attain greatness. I asked myself, who am l not to be successful? Actually why can’t l be an inspiration to my fellow peers. So l put more effort in my studies and became one of the top students in my class. I read everything I could find, newspapers, business articles, novels and many inspirational books. I would also brainstorm ideas and make business plans. I have always been interested in doing business since l was young. When l was ten years old, l would get sacks and make door mats using leftover cloth from tailors and sale them door to door. It was then l decided to be an economist. The possibilities are endless and this greatly attracted me to this field, having said that, being absolutely certain that my academic interests will not change is a lie.</p>
<p>After graduating from high school with at least good grades, I really wanted to do something to help my fellow youths in Kafue. I believe living is connected to giving and this also drove me to volunteer as a peer educator at a local NGO called RICAP. My job is to mainly go around in schools and the community. I talk to people on bad vices such as alcohol abuse and create awareness about HIV, STD and other things that affect the community. It has been worthwhile and very fulfilling work as l feel am making a difference in my community.</p>
<p>In my attempt to reach new heights, I decided to apply for the education USA program. Despite the tough competition, I was chosen to be part of the program. I hope through the program. I will one day have the privilege of studying in the US. I feel this is just the beginning of my journey. Ultimately I want to develop myself into a person of outstanding excellence.</p>