Miss Elizabeth Phiri, 25, studying for a BSc Education Maths & Physics at DMI-St Eugene University Chipata Campus. She is one of 8 siblings with elderly parents and has no means of financial support for her studies.
Elizabeth writes: ‘I am Elizabeth Phiri studying at DMI-St Eugene University Chipata Campus in the field of BSc Education with Maths and Physics. I chose to do this course because I enjoy mathematics starting from my basic level of education and to improve knowledge in pupils so I can help them understand and solve mathematical problems.
Not only that but also to stand as a role model since 75% of girls in schools find a lot of challenges to understand and solve mathematical problems. I therefore chose to do mathematics in order to motivate girls. Also, so many aspects of life are based on mathematics, for example business people need to understand their capital and calculating their profit and loss.
I am 25 years old, being the last born in a family of eight- four boys and four girls living with both my parents who are 70 and 65 yrs. My family life has been tough, especially in terms of financial support for my education since neither my parents or brothers and sisters are educated or employed. They all depend on farming – small scale farming – as their source of income. I thank God for my parents since life is all about ups and downs but the little they could get has made a difference to my life. I hope to achieve in my tertiary education with good grades so as to become a good teacher by helping learners to solve mathematical problems. In taking my education to a higher level I hope to finally to bring change to my family and assist the younger generation.’