A Book Review To Inspire!

When a travel group from Washington state headed to Zimbabwe to visit GSGC-sponsored clubs late last year, copies of Elizabeth Nyamayaro’s book, I Am a Girl from Africa, were tucked in their luggage. We wondered whether the Zimbabwean-born humanitarian’s life story resonated with girls and women in Zimbabwe now, and we knew just the people to ask.

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  Girls from Girls Time reading the book

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  Girls from Girls Time gather to talk about the book

While some are now reading the shared copies, others have finished reading and shared their thoughts with us. Here are comments from two of them. Both have been edited for clarity.

A Mentor’s View

By Procedure Mhlanga Chikosi, Mentor/Founder, Girls Time, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Such an interesting, relatable and relevant read for me. Author Elizabeth Nyamayaro indeed told a story that educates one about important issues, like poverty, hunger and education.

I can personally relate to a number of things expressed in the memoir as a girl from Africa. Every person, young or old, boy or girl, can learn something from this book.

In our communities, it is very common for children to be left with their gogo by parents either going to work, running from responsibility or (who are) deceased. I, too, stayed with my gogo in my early school years as my parents worked in a different location. My gogo, too, taught me principles that have helped me be a better person and work towards achieving my dreams. Elizabeth’s gogo taught her about how she was mwana wevhu (a girl of the soil) and that she should always be strengthened (shinga) and not give up. Interesting how she carried this through and how it influenced her life.

Mentorship also played a vital role in Elizabeth’s life. Interestingly, she was mentored by both women and men, her gogo, Aunty Jane, Phumzile, Julia and Uncle Sam. These people played a pivotal role in her life leading to her success. I, too, received mentorship from an aunty from church who encouraged, affirmed and believed in me after l failed my O level (school exams) and it felt like my life was over. Nyika, now a colleague, also mentored me in the beginning of my journey of empowering girls in my community. He supported me and held my hand leading to the success of my program, and later, my organization.

Elizabeth’s story is one of taking up opportunities (mikana) with both hands and unapologetically working with resilience (shinga) to see the dream succeed. l relate strongly to this as l feel with the challenges girls face in Africa, it is vital that one takes up every opportunity with a strong attitude to succeed. In my work with girls, this story is one that encourages and inspires. Elizabeth had a dream, and she became the change she wanted to see. Her determination led to millions of lives being changed through her different initiatives at the United Nations. Also, it is important to note, and is quite (instructive), that ubuntu (humanity, or I am because of you, or humanity towards others) should always be at the core of our dreams so that it’s not only about us, but (that) our communities should all benefit.

The issues addressed by Elizabeth through her work are very deep, important and relevant to us here today. Hunger, poverty, education, health care, gender-based violence and child marriages are hot topics that changemakers are focusing on as we continue to fight for better conditions for the masses. We do what we do in our communities — encourage girl child education — because we believe it is part of the answer to these issues. An educated girl stands a better chance (because) she can make informed health choices and (have) a better chance at getting a job or creating one. This decreases the (number) of women being abused or contracting HIV. Every effort counts, and it’s great to read about a girl from Africa (having) a global impact. It gives us hope.

Also amazing to note is how boys and men are a vital part of the change we want to see, hence the need for awareness and educating them about the limits set by patriarchy. Men and boys can empower girls, mentor and encourage their success, if they are educated. Incredible how Uncle Sam played a pivotal part in Elizabeth s life. Such a great example for fathers, brothers and uncles to emulate.

Last, interesting to note is the way Elizabeth writes repeating some words. That (technique) makes the book so relatable, as that is the way we communicate in Zimbabwe, be it in Shona or Ndebele. Such a layout of a story that resonates so deeply with us.

Even though (life) was not always easy for Elizabeth or going her way, Elizabeth was resilient.

This book inspires me

By Marbel, Girls Time club member, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

I Am a Girl from Africa is a story that has really inspired me and has taught me a lot of things, including “ubuntu” (humanity, or I am because of you, or humanity towards others) and how important a blessing it is to be “mwana wevhu” (a girl of the soil).

This story means a lot because it has taught me that as Africans, we should uplift each other. Author Elizabeth Nyamayaro grew up knowing that she should greet everyone she comes across. She took (that) moral with her to London, and she never forgot it. This encourages me to never forget my morals as mwana wevhu.

Elizabeth faced a lot of difficulties in terms of money to further her education and fulfil her goals. But miraculously, she had “mukana,” an opportunity to fulfill her dreams. I relate to her because I also faced a lot of difficulties paying for my O level exams. I saw a mukana, and I grabbed it with both hands in order to pay for my exams.

I was really inspired by Elizabeth’s story because she never gave up as she always told herself to have “shinga,” courage. Most importantly, I was really inspired by the love she had for her gogo (grandmother). In spite of going to London for many years, her love for her gogo never diminished.

My goal is to build schools around Africa for children who can’t afford to pay school fees. It pains my heart to see children growing up and following the wrong path because they never went to school.

I can always follow in Elizabeth’s footsteps. When she was told by Dr. Cleeves that she did not meet the qualifications for the job she had applied for, she didn’t just give up. Instead, she asked for another position. Even if she was not going to be paid, she knew she was one step closer to fulfilling her dreams, and I admire her for that.

With these few words that I have written, I can only say that this book has really inspired me to a greater extent.