Talent Muzuva
A bright girl with a dream of becoming a pilot
Grade 5 · Chamukwenjera Primary School · Chivhu, Zimbabwe
Talent is 11 years old and a very bright student. She is consistently among the top five students in her class and particularly enjoys Science and Technology and Shona. In her free time, she loves playing netball.
But Talent’s life outside school is very different from the promising future she imagines for herself.
Talent’s story
Talent lives with her 91-year-old great-grandmother. She has two brothers, Markmore who is 19 and Brighton who is 22.
Her parents have both passed away, as have her grandparents. Her great-grandmother is therefore the only family member who has been there to care for the children. She has been looking after them for many years, despite now being 91 years old herself.
Her great-grandmother is extremely frail. She can only walk a short distance before she has to sit down and she cannot stand for long periods.
This means that much of the responsibility at home falls on Talent.
When she is not at school, she helps her great-grandmother with all the household chores. She does what needs to be done around the home and takes care of her grandmother as best she can.
Yet every school day, Talent still makes the journey to school.
It takes around 60 minutes on foot, although Talent often runs the route.
A girl with big ambitions
Despite the responsibilities she carries at home, Talent is an exceptional student.
She is among the top five in her class, showing both ability and determination. She enjoys Science and Technology and dreams of becoming a pilot one day.
It is striking to see how much potential she has while knowing how much responsibility she already carries at home.
Talent should have the opportunity to concentrate on being a child: learning, playing netball, discovering her talents and preparing for the future she dreams of.
Her circumstances should not decide how far she can go. With €150, Talent can continue her education for a full year.
For a girl who walks to school every day, helps care for her 91-year-old great-grandmother and still manages to rank among the best students in her class, that opportunity could make a lasting difference.
Talent already has the ambition and ability. She deserves the chance to see where they can take her.
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