9 years ago when I was about to leave primary school both my parents were unemployed.... and somehow when it came to choosing a high school I opted for the most expensive one I could think of- Arundel, it was and still is the elite of the elite. I remember my dad telling me that they (my parents) will never be the ones to stand in the way of me getting the best. I figure at that point in time he was so stressed out about how he was going to get those fees but he never said no and he never burst my bubble. They used their last savings and opened a tiny shop in a growth point (rural areas) kwabhora (in the north of Zimbabwe). Initially they sold four items...sugar, maputi, salt and I forgot what the fourth thing was but it really was a sad sight. My parents had one car and someone had to get a combi (public transport) and travel about 45 minutes one way every morning to open the shop. Somehow they did it...
I won't even go through all the people that discouraged us and told me personally how unrealistic I was about the school I had chosen and all the trials and obstacles we encountered along the way (including the economic downturn in Zimbabwe during those years) but ya I managed to get through high school... Did I mention my younger brother and sister were also going to private schools at the time?
Anyway so I made it through high school...I was never once sent home.
So if that wasn't enough my mom told me to reach for the stars and apply to whatever University I wanted to do my Undergraduate. I did. I got accepted to Newcastle University.... One of the top universities in the UK, also part of the Russell Group. So once again we were faced with a steep hill to climb. We went from struggling and scrounging to pay $2 000 tuition at Arundel to about $25 000 tuition and living expenses for Newcastle University. My dad told me again that he will not be held responsible for not providing the best for his children. He gathered together all the money he had, borrowed some here and there then bought and haulage truck. One truck. That was the plan. Mom and dad started to save BUT a few weeks before I was to submit my visa application my mom had a severe stroke. Talk about a low blow right? Never mind the hospital bills...the pillar we all leaned on, the other bread winner, my mom, my best friend was in hospital. She couldn't talk, she couldn't walk...she couldn't do anything really. That's a whole other story and miracle on its own (one for another day- mom is going great now though) but ya finances were drained. I went ahead and applied for a visa (no money in the bank by the way) and three weeks later I got my passport back. VISA DENIED. I remember I sat next to my mom and we all cried. I thought, "Well that's what happens when you try and stretch your luck too far and get too ambitious you know?". So I started looking for plan B and C but once again my dad sat me down and asked me what it was that I wanted. I told him I wanted to go to Newcastle. He said, "Let's make it work.". So we pulled together all resources and reapplied for that visa.
The rest is history but ya now I'm in my final year of my BSc. All my tuition and living costs paid up and to top it all off that one truck has multiplied to 7. That tiny shop in the rural areas now sells more things than I could list and another small enterprise recently opened up.
Despite all the astounding victories I believe there is greater in store. We are not there yet and I'm kind of stressing about finances for my Masters right now and also because my brother is going to University this academic year (i.e. whatever we have in terms of revenue now must treble) but looking back at how far we have come just makes me want to take a chill pill and relax.... Gods' got this...he has brought us this far already. Why must I be afraid? What he has done is exceedingly above and beyond what we ever expected.
This short summary of my story reflects two things.... 1) My parents are hardworking individuals who pulled things through the most impossible of circumstances and I am so blessed to have an earthly father who would sacrifice soooo much for us and a mother who worked tirelessly and encouraged even when she was down. They are shining examples and if I am half the woman my mother is I'll be really pleased. 2) Although neither my mom nor dad is Christian (I'm believing for their salvation too) God had and has an all powerful hand that can work through the most impossible of circumstances. To be honest I got scared and doubted along the way but at all those low dark moments I went and cried to him. Just like my earthly dad he had the best in mind and worked to pull things together. He provided.
He used the toughest of circumstances to stretch our capacity actually.
Anyway this was inspired by a conversation with one of my sisters who is sort of going through the same thing right now and a song I was listening to by Alexio Kawara called Kuchanaya. The Chorus says, "Kunze kupisise ndinoziva kuchanaya kuchatonhorera.". This is translated to, "When it gets really hot outside I know it's going to rain, it's going to get cooler." Circumstances may get super tough and really bleak but it's that heat that assures you that it will and causes it to rain (you know the whole geography condensation stuff??). It's kind of like that saying "the darkest hour is before dawn."
Mine isn't the saddest of stories. I know beyond doubt that I am sooo privileged despite all this and that there are people out there who have gone through and are going through worse scenarios but this story is one of my hearts impressions and hopefully by sharing it someone will be encouraged.
- Work Hard
- Never Give Up on your dreams
- Trust God
XOXO
Chido Dziva Chikwari
Biblical References
Matthew 6:31-32
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
