My Graduation

On the 12th of July 2013 I graduated from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne with a Bachelor of Science with Honors degree in Biomedical Science with Business. 

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion...." Philippians  1:6

I strongly believe that the above is one of those iconic moments in life never to be taken for granted and as such I thought I would share a few of the lessons learnt as a result of that which is Graduation. 

This day stood as a hallmark not only in the history of my family but also the different stages and seasons of my life. I am the second person to graduate in the Dziva Chikwari clan, after my father, and as you can imagine he was probably the proudest dad in the crowd. His story is one that can bring anyone to tears - a shy and sickly village boy leaving for the city for the very first time, all alone and with money enough only for one school uniform and bus fare. I am the first born child in my family and the journey towards obtaining this degree was  a similar one for me too. Just like it was for my grandmother so many years ago who worked as a house help and sold tomatoes the challenge to send her last born son to school and my journey was not much different. We had great expectations, hopes and goals and in the process we faced many obstacles and mountains to the point that we doubted we would see 'the dream' come through. However, three years on through hard work and perseverance we made it. You can read part of this in a previous blog post; God will Provide... a part of my story but the main message here is that this was no simple feat. Gogo planted a seed years ago and I am part of the fruits now budding.

Both my mom and dad were elated to the point of tears and for me one of the most important things I ever wanted and want in life is to make them proud of me and the woman I am becoming. They have done nothing but provide the best for me and doing my best is the very little I can give back. As I looked across at them sitting at the front row with their wide smiles and faces shining with pride I was brought almost to tears too. I am so blessed that they were able to see this day and share it with me. 

[ I was also awarded the once in a lifetime opportunity of Student Orator. As a result I was able to share on behalf of the cohort the lessons university had thought us, some of the memories we would hold dear, parts of my testimony as well as our heartfelt gratitude to everyone whose hand and heart had played a role in getting our degrees. This is a link to the ceremony and my speech which starts at 36 minutes: http://nuvision.ncl.ac.uk/Play/982 ]

Although it was just one day and a two hour ceremony it also stood for three years of hard work and sleepless nights, it stood for our ability to finish what we started and reaching greater heights, it stood for a future that had even more in store for us. This brings me to one of the most critical things I learnt at the junction that is graduation, I learnt that sometimes it's critical for us to stop and appreciate the beauty of where we at. For us to bask in the achievements we have made so far because believe it or not oftentimes you are doing much better than you think you are and if you really think of it most times you have made so much progress from where you used to be. In life we often set goals and targets for the higher levels we want to obtain but never give ourselves credit for what we have already done. The truth of the matter is that Life is Now. Not where I plan on being in three years time. My graduation day was for me personally  a day set aside to just stop and say Congratulations Chido. Three years ago I didn't even see myself going abroad to university, let alone the one that I wanted to go to and had fallen in love with but I made it. 

What I also realized was that although this achievement was great it was only the beginning. Months before graduation I was already filled with panic about how I was going to have to find a job now and start making money because it would be very unacceptable for me to return home to Zimbabwe and just sit. Fear had literally gripped my heart; fear of failure, fear of disappointing my parents, fear of facing a world full of uncertainty. My short term contingency plan (although I didn't notice it for what it was at the time) was to immediately move on to do my Masters. That way I would ward off the real world for at least one more year. As you have probably deduced by now, that plan didn't work out for whatever reason and for lessons I will probably figure out soon enough I am now facing my fears right in the face: The 'tough' job market in Zimbabwe. The time for my Masters will come and well the scripture I am holding onto now that has seen through all the way up until Graduation is mentioned right at the beginning of this blog: He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion... (Philippians 1:6). I am a work in progress and this is just the beginning! 

Soooo in conclusion: 

• Never give up on the beauty of your dreams. In life you will often be faced with obstacles and uncertainty but in the end things always work out. God has a plan for you. 

• Life is now. Never take for granted a moment taken to stop and tell yourself well done for what you have already achieved. 

• Don't be afraid to face your fears straight in the face. Fight! Most times that's where our greatest strengths are awakened. Fear is a state of mind. 

• Work Hard. Your reward will come. 

XOXO

Chido Dziva Chikwari 

P.S. I am so grateful to my friends and family for believing and pushing when I sometimes lost the plot. I made new family in Newcastle and their help and support helped me see this through. Thank you to them all. The importance of those two strongholds can never be reiterated enough. One such friend is Diana Njuguna, who single handedly took me through the all the feats of University. We were inseparable through the study all nighters, confusing practicals, icy 9am lectures, boring business seminars, chilled beach days and dinners for two when we needed a break. I couldn't conclude this post without mentioning this amazing Kenyan sister of mine, Love you Always D!  

Ooooh and a song I couldn't wait to play since before I even went to uni is Muchandiona by Audius Mtawarira. Muchandiona means 'You are going to see me' in shona and the song really summarizes part of what graduation means to me in regards to making my mommy and daddy proud :)