A childhood in the Ghetto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was born and raised in Sunningdale Harare. Growing up was tough because l had to go through a lot of tough situations in the neighbourhood that l was born and raised in. Sunningdale is a high density suburb and it is one of the main areas where there is top level drug abuse, prostitution, violence and thievery in Zimbabwe. Due to high unemployment percentage and disfunctional families in Zimbabwe most people suffer to make a living so they end up getting involved in illegal activities just to put food on the table for their families.

I started losing friends and family members through drugs, AIDs and violence at primary level up to now its still a huge problem. As for me l tried to stay close to God and l also took these devastating situations as motivation to achieve my desired goal. I managed to stay in school and really put my all into my studies. I was fortunate that l had both of my parents with me through the journey. In the area l grew up its only 2 individuals who managed to attend University and out of the 2 individuals am the one with a Masters degree.

If l look at the area l grew up now, l am convinced that am so blessed to become who l am today and it was definitely through Gods blessings that l am where l am today. Currently the situation has gone worse. There is a huge increase in cases of teenage pregnancies, violence, thievery, AIDs, high school dropouts, child headed families, drug abuse, domestic violence and poverty. The governments efforts are insufficient to address all these problems at once. The young generation is the most vulnerable group in the society mainly because of lack of unemployment.

 

    Raymond Zowa,   DOB: 16 January 1993,  Sex: Male,  Nationality: Zimbabwean,  Academic Qualifications: Degree in Agricultural Crop Science,  Masters in Strategic Management and Corporate Governance,  Life Skills Trainer Certificate -        Raymond  (Ray) Zowa, grew up in Sunningdale and is working with Advivia.