CECILIA KWALIRA

Cecilia is a student at the Malawi Polytechnic University, studying for her BsC in Civil Engineering, specialising in water. She is a girl guide member, a young leader and has a passion for inspiring and empowering her fellow young people for a better future. She is a Christian of the Catholic church.

“A mentor helps you to unleash your potential.”

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

Malawi is a developing and peaceful country, also known as the warm heart of Africa. It's part of the SADC countries.

I am an only child in my family, and also my extended family. I am pursuing a degree in civil engineering at the Malawi Polytechnic University in Blantyre, Malawi. Am a peer educator with FACT (Forum for Aids Counselling and Testing), a young leader with the Worldwide Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts with the Malawi branch, and a change maker with the Youth Wave Malawi Organisation.

Q: What was your experience of the global pandemic crisis? Did it change your life and/or your views about the world? If so, how?

Well, it has changed my life. It changed my perspective, I learnt that in unity there's power, and that education is the key to success, since it also provides you with a better understanding of things. 

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

Some of the key challenges include – the COVID-19 pandemic; school drop outs; high rape cases; gender-based violence; and scarce job opportunities. 

Q: Can you share with us some of the hurdles that you have had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

Redoing high school after coming back from college. I went to college in 2014 to study nursing, but due to some personal circumstances I had to withdraw and go back to high school. For me, this was the toughest time I had to face since I had to adjust a lot. However, the experience made me stronger and boosted my leadership skills. I am now pursuing a degree in civil engineering at The Malawi Polytechnic University. 

Q: If you were to ask one thing from our current leaders, what would it be?

Accountability and transparency. 

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

Generally, I believe that one person on his or her own is not always right. No man is an island. Sometimes you just need an initial push, some kind of guidance and, of course, a trusted safe space that can boost your esteem in order to achieve great things. A mentor helps you to unleash your potential and reach greater heights.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

With my experience of withdrawing of college, I learnt that with dedication, determination, sacrifice and effort, all things are possible. I also learnt that there's indeed light at the end of each tunnel, that some things may be really hard and dreadful, but by not giving up you can achieve great things. Even if everything is not positive, facing the negatives with awareness of the challenges ahead is key. 

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives!

Youth Wave Malawi organisation Malawi Girls Guide Association UNICEF and FACT Malawi.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

The main challenges are discrimination and gender-based violence. 

Some efforts are being made to combat these challenges, including civic education on gender equality; gender equality campaigns’; women empowerment and female youth protection.  

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that you love or you find interesting!

There is a time for everything. With dedication, effort, sacrifice and making the right choices, good things are possible. So, with everything, it's all about choices. 

Q: Can you share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about? 

I wish there could be a handicraft project that would offer business and job opportunities for young people. This would enhance their sense of independence and empower the younger generation, the leaders of tomorrow. The project would tie into the 17 SDGs, especially those tackling climate change, gender-based violence and youth empowerment, with the aim of unleashing their full potential for a better tomorrow.