Betty Makoni, founder of Girl Child Network and a lady I admire, asked me why I chose to study Chemical Engineering and what I think can be done to inspire girls out there to take an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. A daunting task I thought, especially the latter, and I wouldn’t call myself an expert. The only way I could possibly answer the second question is to answer the first…and share my personal journey.
Click here & check out Girl Child Network, a phenomenal organisation empowering & educating girls
I was born with cancer, an acute case of nephroblastoma that is highly treatable today but due to late diagnosis and a myriad of circumstances, I was then told that I only had a 20% chance of making it to my 2nd birthday. Yet, here I am…and from the second I was able to understand such a miracle in my life, that single fact forced me to adopt a never say never attitude in all my goals and aspirations. It has shaped me to be the person I am today.
I come from a very big, modest and very supportive family. I grew up in a society that like most societies around the world reveres academics. My second name is ‘Ntombiyemfundo’ which means ‘young lady of education’. One could say that it was ingrained in me via ‘environmental diffusion’ from an early age that education was very vital to success! My earliest recollections for pursuing academia revolve around that philosophy. I was very blessed to be born into a family and society that was bent on nurturing any potential I had and affording me opportunities. Education was one such distinct area.
Soon after high school my uncle who happened to be an engineer pointed out to me how much immense potential we have in Africa pertaining natural resources when he spoke of bacteria whose by-products in a local river could be harnessed into fuel but no one was looking into it. I did some research and made up my mind that I was going to study Chemical Engineering and help champion the ‘Chemical Engineering Silicone Valley’ of Africa. Not just focusing on the raw materials, exporting them and dooming ourselves as Africans to be consumers but to focus on the products side as well and being on the ‘winning side of the equation as Africans’ as put by Ory Okolloh (Director of Investments at Omidyar Network and ‘girl power enthusiast’) at the Engineering Africa event hosted by South African Women Engineers (SAWomEng).
“As for the future, your task is not to foresee it but to enable it.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Why I chose to study engineering
I never set out to consider engineering from an early age as a profession. In fact, I would say ‘I stumbled across it while pursuing my passions’ all thanks to people such as my uncle who took the time out to educate me on the existence of its vital opportunities. I’m deliriously passionate about development and about Africa! In my eyes, education (in all forms) and engineering innovations are mere tools, vital tools, I’ve picked up along the way that I believe I can use to help develop Africa.
I never set out to consider engineering from an early age as a profession. In fact, I would say ‘I stumbled across it while pursuing my passions’ all thanks to people such as my uncle who took the time out to educate me on the existence of its vital opportunities. I’m deliriously passionate about development and about Africa! In my eyes, education (in all forms) and engineering innovations are mere tools, vital tools, I’ve picked up along the way that I believe I can use to help develop Africa.
What do we need, as young girls and women, to enable our future in engineering?
My own personal step to exploring relevant opportunities in engineering (particularly those that can benefit Africa) was to start this blog . Hopefully, through this small effort, I will be able to help one (or many) future female engineers.
By Pamela Ntombiyemfundo Mukwenha
- Support
- Exposure
- Mentorship
My own personal step to exploring relevant opportunities in engineering (particularly those that can benefit Africa) was to start this blog . Hopefully, through this small effort, I will be able to help one (or many) future female engineers.
By Pamela Ntombiyemfundo Mukwenha
Click here to check this feature in Women Engineering