MILLICENT HUNGWE
Masvingo – Delight Chinyenye’s journey from dropping out of school to scoring 12 points at A-Level is a powerful testimony of how the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) program, supported by the National AIDS Council (NAC), continues to transform the lives of vulnerable girls.
Chinyenye (20) who was first assisted by the DREAMS initiative at Nyikavanhu High School in Chiredzi while in Form 2, says the program gave her a second chance when her parents could no longer afford to pay for her education.
DREAMS was started by NAC in 2021 and the target is to keep the girl child in Chiredzi district in school as quite a number were dropping off due to lack of fees, poverty and family support.
“DREAMS came in when I was almost out of school, they paid my school fees, bought me stationery, uniforms, sanitary wear, and even covered my examination fees,” she told The Midweek Watch during a media tour organised by NAC Masvingo Province recently.
Faced with the same pressures that forced many of her classmates to drop out or fall into early marriages, she says the support she received motivated her to stay focused on her studies.
“I told myself I had to make the most out of what I was being offered, l wanted to be the best and change my story,” she said.
Her journey wasn’t without hurdles. As she prepared to sit for her O-Level exams, she almost gave up due to personal challenges, but the encouragement from her DREAMS teacher mentor Munyaradzi Charasika kept her going.
Today, Chinyenye proudly holds 12 points at A-Level, a result she never thought would be possible.
“I never believed I’d even finish A-Level. NAC gave me that opportunity, now, I dream of becoming a social worker to help other girls like me,” she said.
She is now appealing for a sponsor to help her pursue her tertiary education.
Charasika praised the DREAMS program, calling it a “life-changing intervention” that has helped protect girls from early marriages, poverty, and lack of education.
“Programs like DREAMS give our girls hope and a future,” she said.
Chinyenye’s story is a shining example of how targeted support can break cycles of poverty and empower young women to build better lives for themselves and their communities.
