Changemaker Using Education to End Child Marriage in Rural Areas

BY DELIGHT GUMA

GROWING up in a farm school at Adam Farm in Harare’s peri-urban area of Stoneridge, Vivian Nheya witnessed a harsh reality, where girls in her community were married off as soon as they finished Grade 7, cutting short their dreams.

She vividly remembers the day when one brilliant girl in her class, whose intelligence and perseverance she admired, was forced into marriage at 14 simply because she was an orphan.

“One term I worked so hard, slept late, read the best I could, have my parents teach me, only because competitive me wanted to take the first place. I couldn’t do it!” she says.

“I came second place and this girl came first. So, I knew and saw her potential, her value and how bright her future looked. We wrote our final grade 7 examinations again she was the highest in class! I admired her so much!”

That moment became a turning point, igniting Vivian’s lifelong commitment to ensuring every girl can pursue her education and fulfil her potential.

Voluntary work

Since then, she has been promoting education through her non-profit, Hope Foundation, to help young girls in rural areas end child marriages.

It is through this work that her dedication has earned her significant recognition, as she was selected for the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship by the US Department of State, where she was placed under the Civic Engagement Track at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

She says it was at that moment that she committed to safeguarding young girls’ dreams so they can reach their full potential.

“Being the first female graduate in my family, I know what it means wanting something so much, having a dream, wanting to change your life narrative imposed by others yet life circumstances just deter you from achieving that,” she says.

“Currently in my community child marriages are still prevalent with approximately 25 out of 65 girls proceeding to secondary school, if they are lucky enough to proceed to secondary school the majority don’t even get to write their Ordinary Level Examinations and at least two graduate from university.”

As part of her work, Vivian’s organisation has been providing school fees, food hampers, uniforms, blankets, warm clothes, shoes, and stationery for orphaned and vulnerable children in the area she grew up in.

“At one time in my life, I wanted to drop out of school because I was hungry, because other kids laughed at my shoes which were torn,” she says. “So, we make sure school and home are memorable places for those without. All a child has to care about is homework, making friends, playtime and passing and we make sure this is it for the lives we touch.”

She says they have been getting support from teachers and school heads, who have been referring children in need of help.

“We are in the process of developing a Memorandum of Understanding with schools allowing us to pay 50% school fees for every child we assist,” she says.

Child Marriage Prevalence

According to data from Girls Not Brides, 34% of girls in Zimbabwe marry before the age of 18 and 5% marry before the age of 15, while, 2% of boys marry before the same age.

Child marriage is more common in rural areas of Zimbabwe, with data from the 2014 MICS indicating that 40% of women aged 20–24 living in rural areas, compared to 19% in urban areas, were married or in a union before the age of 18.

Data by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) also shows a low child marriage prevalence in more urban provinces.

Trends have also shown an increase in child marriages since 1994, raising need for immediate action.

Lessons from the United States

Vivian believes that her time at the University of Maryland has strengthened her desire to fight for children in rural areas.

“My times at UMBC was more of an awakening moment for me,” she says. “I realised I was born to serve these young boys and girls. This is no longer my second job anymore but a calling, my first priority. It was at UMBC that I got to understand what leadership truly is – serving.”

She says the fellowship has helped her cultivate new partnerships, which are crucial for sustainability so more children can access education.

“I believe the networks and partnerships I built in the US with fellow Africans, US citizens, and the Zimbabwean community will help me advance Hope Foundation’s vision of providing scholarships, bursaries, and safe homes for neglected children.”

Vivian says she envisions a future where every child accesses education, is free from child marriage, and inspires others through her work, creating a caring, supportive community.

“For me, the future is one where every child can pursue their dreams without barriers. Being an orphan or born into poverty should never prevent a child from going to school,” she says.

First published by IOW Data