Every genesis of a journey is never smooth. These journeys are across the board—businesses, newborns, love affairs, education, marriages, religious ministries, companies and even a job. A bumpy ride or hostile environment does not mean something is wrong. In fact, rocky situations should actually give us the confidence that the endeavour in question is worth a lot, if only we could see through the problems and hang on. Because of problems, some people tend to give up. Frustrations, however, are meant to keep us going.
Life has its ups and downs and it does not matter what you or the world is going through. It is inevitable to sail through harsh waters. Even those sailing highly have their own tales of struggle to share. It never came easy.
Reading our cover profile on pages seven and eight of one Victoria Mwafulirwa, at first glance with all the accolades her company Homes Industries bagged just last year, it is so admirable. However, the journey has not been all rosy. It took determination and staying focused to get to the point of impressing local and international markets. Her resilience paid off and won the hearts of many who later developed confidence if her products.
Another example of resilience is seen in our Soul story on page 6 Freeing girls from menstruation shame. The girls featured narrate their tales of frustration and near-school drop out over something they could not control—monthly periods. Menstruation, the essence of femininity and all that it represents, has become an object of shame to many especially in rural settings because of girls’ failure to manage it. From the story, boys find means of ridiculing girls while the girls are tied down by it because of failure to afford sanitary pads, forcing many out of school to avoid its ‘disgrace’. But thanks to interveners who are giving these girls a new lease of life and a chance to decide on continuing with education and take control of their bodies. Let us remember that there would be some who opted to quit school altogether in spite of available interventions. The girls in the story have chosen to overcome and beat their frustrations. They returned to school with a hopeful future and a means to financial independence through the idea to produce more and sell sanitary pads following their training.
All in all, tough times are never an excuse for quitting. They are also never an excuse for mediocrity. Lately, everyone had been talking about Covid-19 devastating effects economically and how pa ground sipali bwino. On the same slippery ground, others are finding haven. Stop giving excuses and rise above those harsh waters. It is not easy, but doable.
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