Phiwayinkhosi’s Journey To Medicine Studies

Phiwayinkhosi’s world felt grey. Her hopes were fading away, unsure of where she was going. Her father had passed away when she was just a little girl aged five years, leaving her mother to care for their family on her own.

Despite the hardships they faced, Phiwayinkhosi’s mother never lost sight of her daughter's potential. She believed wholeheartedly in the power of education to change lives, and she was determined to give her every opportunity she could. However, working as a bartender, she did not earn enough. Eighteen-year-old Phiwa, as she’s known to her family and friends, and her siblings would be chased out of school from time to time because school fees had not been settled.

Phiwayinkhosi was first introduced to World Vision Eswatini’s CANGO-funded project called “Halting The Spread Of HIV And Reversing Its Impact In The Swazi Society” in 2021 through her friends. CANGO stands for the Coordinating Assembly of Non-Governmental Organisations.

“I started attending sessions, called “Stepping Stones”, where we talked about the dangers of transactional sex, HIV/AIDS, STIs, teenage pregnancy, and all the issues that could endanger my life,” she said.

After a vulnerability assessment conducted by the project, Phiwa received support for her education, including assistance with school fees and boarding expenses in 2021.

“My Form 3, 4 and 5 was fully funded by this project. In form 5, I moved into hostel, and the fees were also catered by the Halting. Going into hostel turned my life around,” she said. 

According to Phiwa, she, her mother, stepfather and her three siblings all lived in a one-room house. This made her struggle when it came to studying because she needed an isolated place to concentrate.

“Being a boarder opened doors for me to excel academically. I credited all my form 5 subjects and got a total aggregate of 51 points!” she stated, beaming with pride.

Indeed, Phiwa poured herself into her studies, driven by the belief that education was her ticket to a brighter future. Despite the challenges she faced, she remained focused on her goals, determined to succeed not just for herself, but for her mother and the memory of her father.

Finally, the moment Phiwa had been working towards arrived. She received news of her acceptance to study medicine in India. It was a moment of joy and triumph, a testament to her resilience and the unwavering support of her mother and the community that had rallied behind her.