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Hanging On To Hope
By Mwansa Chali, Zambia
Living in Zambia is a constant battle to survive. My parents struggle every single day to get enough money to send me to college. Even to have enough food to eat daily is quite difficult. Two meals a day is what most families can afford although some families cannot even manage that.
"The water which my parents use is brown. It comes from the bore hole or well so it has to be boiled and chlorinated before you use it. But even then it does not really get clean." -Mwansa Chali
Many things are very difficult in Zambia. The water which my parents use is brown. It comes from the bore hole or well so it has to be boiled and chlorinated before you use it. But even then it does not really get clean.
Most of the time, I depend on praying to God for his guidance. He always empowers me with his knowledge. It is by his grace that today I am studying journalism at Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation.
Because of the remote location of the school, it is hard for my parents to visit. On any given day, only two or three Land Rovers are able to get to through on the very bumpy road. Dad's car often breaks down. When that happens, you do not move on that particular day.
One day I'm going to be successful so I can change this. I have noticed that if you are not successful with a highly paid job you are considered unimportant - you have less freedom of expression, you can't make decisions for yourself and those above you do not care what happens to you.
Unfortunately, my Mum is a good example of this. She is a nurse and lives with Dad in a rural part of Zambia. Just recently Mum was diagnosed with diabetes. Mum's doctor advised her to move to a town near the main hospital where her job could provide her with easy access to get her medication. But no one considered her request, even though it had been prescribed by the doctor.
My Mum does not deserve to live in a rural area and struggle all the days of her life. It's as if she is being punished for nothing. She is qualified to work anywhere. Sometimes I wonder how people can be so unconcerned about others. I cry to say this. Anyway, there can be amazing highs and tough lows in life.
I want to work for BBC News one day. I'd like to go to City University in London and obtain a masters degree in communications even though my parents may not have the money it takes to send me to university in London.
I also want to become a gospel singer so that I can praise God for being faithful to me. Through singing I want to transmit the message to those who need God's presence that he is always faithful and ever caring.
My future has to be very bright and I am proud to say I have not had a boyfriend up to now. I do not want any disturbances if my life is to make real sense.
I know I will achieve all of my dreams. For prayer in God is the best mechanism with which to handle hardship.
