A young ever vibrant girl Hazel Kachingwe, resident of village of Kandengwe in Balaka District, Malawi, is one you can describe to be full of ambition, zeal and courage. A very bubbly young girl to be around and a smart one too, from the little exposure of computer lessons she got from the adolescent girl's computer club offered at Foundation for Civic Education and Social Empowerment (FOCESE) opened doors that she never would have dreamt of. Hazel's fascination with computers began at a young age though she attended schools that did not provide computer lessons, as she grew older; her desire to acquire computer skills intensified. Recognizing the opportunity of free computer lessons for adolescents that FOCESE provided through her involvement with Girls Arise Foundation (mentored by FOCESE), Hazel seized it to expand her knowledge and improve her prospects before applying for college where she wanted to pursue Bachelors of Science in Computer Science at the University of Malawi. Under the guidance of FOCESE, she learned essential tools like Microsoft package and efficient typing, all of which would later prove to be instrumental in her journey. From the outset, it was evident that Hazel possessed a natural aptitude for computers and excelled in her studies. Her impressive performance did not go unnoticed, and soon she found herself helping her peers with their computer-related challenges, even in the absence of a tutor. As her expertise grew, so did her involvement in other initiatives, such as the Girls Arise Foundation. Within the project, Hazel emerged as a shining example, leading and presenting at various meetings and field events, empowering and inspiring her fellow girls. With such dedication to her involvement she was selected to represent Malawi at the 10th African Conference on Sexual Reproductive Health in Sierra Leone, with support from We Purposeful and Global Fund for Women through partnerships with FOCESE. With bags packed, hearts filled with excitement and being the first in their families to get on an airplane and travel outside of the boarders of Malawi, Hazel and her peers embarked on a journey that would forever alter their perspectives as young girls. In Sierra Leone, they immersed themselves in learning about sexual reproductive health and rights, understanding that girls can aspire to achieve greatness and become anything they desire. Hazel's ambition soared, and her understanding of human rights deepened, thanks to exposure to a different culture and shared experiences. The conference not only broadened their knowledge but also taught them invaluable life skills, such as managing projects independently as they have been mentored by FOCESE on how to write a proposal and now successful received a grant. As part of their training, they were assigned a project focusing on menstrual hygiene, which they successfully implemented upon their return to Malawi called Binti (meaning girl in chichewa). They project focused on teaching other girls how to make reusable sanitary pads, which they later distributed to other adolescent girls in need. The computer lessons that initially sparked Hazel's journey had opened a plethora of opportunities for her, as she has desire to help stock up the computer room with new computers as the number of interested students keeping growing and to be the same page with new technologies with the funding from We purposeful. Now equipped with newfound confidence and experiences, Hazel set her sights on her ultimate goal: pursuing a degree in computer science at the esteemed University of Malawi Chancellor College. Her determination and dedication paid off, and today, she proudly walks the corridors of the university that 'God loved the most', working towards turning her dreams into reality. With her sights set on the future, Hazel envisions opening her own company in the computer science field. However, she remains grounded and humble, using her platform to encourage her fellow Malawian girls to believe in themselves and their abilities. She exemplifies that anything is possible for a Malawian girl who dares to dream and work hard. In her advocacy, she urges girls to participate actively in organizations like FOCESE and embrace the Girls Arise Foundation, as it can be a gateway to unforeseen opportunities. Till date Hazel shows up at the adolescent computer room during her school holidays to help tutor other aspiring girls just like her. As the sun sets over the serene landscapes of Balaka, Hazel Kachingwe's success story serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path for countless young girls who dare to dream big. Her remarkable journey, from humble beginnings to seizing opportunities and creating change, is a testament to the power of education, determination, and the belief that a single spark of inspiration can ignite a blaze of success.
