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This was me 27 years ago. In November 1995, I graduated from the University of Zambia with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Development Studies after four years of study.
In January 1996, I applied for the Swedish-funded Rural Development Facilitator Project in Kete District, Eastern Province, Zambia. Fortunately, I was accepted and received motorcycle training because the job required riding a motorcycle to go to the village.
I was the only woman in the organization at the time, and riding a motorcycle in the countryside, most people envied me. (By the way, wearing pants in the countryside is equivalent to being a prostitute, and sometimes when I rode a motorcycle in jeans, I would hear people shout “hule”, which means prostitute) Did I give up? No! This was part of building my resilience and staying focused.
The 350cc Enfield engine roared every morning and every day was an adventure. I remember my father boasting about my personal motorcycle when I was in my early twenties and a college graduate.
Just flaunting your degree or any qualification is not enough to support your family. Education should make us versatile and adaptable! I started my career in the countryside and worked in the countryside specifically and had no problems. The experience made me strong and taught me a lot about life.
27 years later, I use this experience as a consultant (both locally and internationally). I am still passionate about empowering numerous target groups.
Why am I sharing this background again? In my dealings with young people (both graduates and non-graduates), I hear many people say “I am not suited to work in rural areas”. They want to find a job in Lusaka or other big cities, there is nothing wrong with that, but if you cannot find a job in a big city, it is okay to start in rural areas and when you gain the necessary experience, you will find yourself in a big city if that is still your dream. So dear friends, be prepared to start from humble beginnings. Rome was not built in a day.
The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Get ready to take that step!
By Nellie Nyirenda
Entrepreneurial thinking development expert
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