Mbanwie Queenbelle is more determined than ever to complete her education and fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse. This is a goal rooted in her desire to improve healthcare access in her native Batibo village in Northwest Cameroon. Growing up, she witnessed firsthand how her family and community struggled to access medical care, sparking her passion for nursing.
However, after completing secondary school, tragedy struck. Mbanwe’s grandmother, who had been financing her education, passed away. This left the then 15-year-old without support. With no other options, she moved to the city in search of work as a domestic worker, hoping to raise money for her studies. Unfortunately, her employer mistreated her and forced her to leave.
Restrategising
Shifting gears, Mbanwe turned to farming, working tirelessly in the fields while still holding onto the hope of saving enough money to return to school. But behind the hard work, her dream of becoming a nurse never faded.
In June of this year, MMI shared her story, and the response was life-changing.
“I remain grateful for everything. Through the post you made about me, someone offered to pay my fees. Surprisingly, he paid for everything, including the practical fees,” Mbanwe told MMI. She says she is preparing to sit for her General Certificate of Education Advanced Level.
“Nine years ago, after obtaining my ordinary level certificate, I made the difficult decision to drop out of school due to financial difficulties. It was a painful choice, but one that seemed necessary at the time. However, the desire to learn and grow never left me,” she said.
“My journey back to school is not just about personal growth; it is also about perseverance and resilience. I hope that my story will inspire others who may have faced similar challenges to never give up on their educational aspirations,” she added.
The Role of Media in Promoting Education
Mbanwe’s return to school after nine years is a rare success story, but millions of girls across Africa still face barriers to education. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the issue, with statistics showing over 250 million children out of school globally, the majority of them girls.
MMI’s role in sharing Mbanwie’s story aligns with the broader goals of the AfricaEducatesHer campaign, an initiative of the African Union International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa (AU CIEFFA). The campaign seeks to highlight the power of the media in advocating for girls’ education.
Between September 26 and 28, media practitioners from across Africa gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss how the media can foster inclusive, lifelong, and quality education for African girls and women. The training, held under the theme “Leveraging the Media’s Role in Promoting Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning for African Girls and Women through the #AfricaEducatesHer Campaign,” emphasised the impact of storytelling in education advocacy.
Simone Yankey, Acting Coordinator of the AU CIEFFA, stressed the importance of the media in driving change.
“The media shape public opinion, influence political decisions, and can be the driving force behind in-depth social change,” Yankey said.
“We are fighting for a continent where every child, girl and boy, has access to quality education. It is essential for personal fulfillment and for contributing to the development of our societies,” she added during her opening speech in Nairobi.
The event brought together stakeholders from UNESCO and the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), urging the 20 journalists in attendance to become champions for girls’ and women’s education through their reporting.
The participants left the training committed to fostering greater advocacy for girls’ education, with the hope that, through stories like Mbanwe’s, more girls will be inspired to pursue their dreams.
A New Beginning for Mbanwie
As Mbanwie embarked on her first day back in school, she expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and excitement about the challenges and joys ahead.
“Thank you for using your platform to share my story. It was through your help that I got a sponsor. Receiving that sponsorship was my highest motivator because I was reluctant about going back to school,” she said.
Returning to education after such a long break is both thrilling and daunting for Mbanwe.
“I am eager to rediscover my love for learning, expand my knowledge, and gain new skills. This second chance is a dream come true, and I am determined to make the most of it,” she said. To balance her responsibilities, she opted for evening classes, which allows her to manage her online business during the day.
“My main focus is my education, but I can’t completely abandon my business because the money I make from it will help cover some of my expenses,” she told MMI.
“I’m overjoyed and grateful! Having my hopes of becoming a nurse back on track is a dream come true. It’s a surreal feeling, to be honest,” Mbanwie concluded.
