A woman who chose not to beg but earn

She endured ridicule and stigma from her peers in school; she had her mother carry her on the back to and fro school. She could not walk after being attacked by polio fever at three years old. Unlike most people with disabilities, she did not drop out of school, but endured all this to attain her form 5 Cambridge certificate. Her dream of becoming an accountant died when she could not go to Kenya to attend college due to her parents’ over-protectiveness. So, she joined the family business, and disability organisations, to help empower other disabled women. She is the Executive Director of Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE).

Tell us about yourself?

I am the Executive Director of Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE). I am a widow with eight kids and many grand children both biological and foster. I was born on 26th May 1961, at home, in Mitsidi now Sanjika. I am a Christian of Chirimba Zambezi Evangelical church. I stay in Chirimba Blantyre. I was born in a family of four; one boy and three girls. I am the third born. My parents did all sorts of business ventures. My parents are Mr Lemson and late Mrs Abness Pemba. They started the famous Pemba School of Driving. It was one of the first driving schools in Malawi, which started in 1972. But now it is being run by my nephew, my brother’s son.

 What memories do you have of growing up?

Being the only child with a disability in the family made me feel uneasy. I used to ask myself that why did it have to be me? But God always has a purpose for everything. But what I cherish most my parents used to treat me like any other child in the family. My parents loved me. My mum played a very big role in my early school years. She used to carry me on her back to and from school. At break time she used to come back to help me move around and also access the ladies room. My parents did not get tired. Eventually they employed an assistant for me. Raising a child with disability is not an easy job. It needs commitment. I also thank God for my primary school teachers, who were a source of encouragement. Otherwise I could have been just another drop out.

 What challenges did you meet?

Most of my friends in school did not treat me as their equal. I was stigmatised. I was mocked and treated as a lesser human being. This really affected me. But I was determined to get my education. I finished my Form 5, O-levels Cambridge certificate. I wanted to become an accountant. So, I applied and got accepted at a college in Kenya. But I could not go because of my parents’ over-protectiveness. They did not want me to stay with someone else other than them. They felt like I was going to be mistreated. I then worked for Sterling Products now Pharmanova. I also worked as an administrative manager in the family business. Eventually I joined Disabled People’s Association in Malawi (DIPAM) now FEDOMA. I led the women’s wing.

 As a widow on a wheel chair, how did your husband’s death affect you?

It is something no-one easily get over. It was even worse for me since our last born was six years old. It was really hard to raise the kids without a father figure. My husband helped me a lot with raising and taking care of the kids. After his death some of our sons started misbehaving. I found it very hard to discipline them. But eventually they straightened out and became responsible. They even went beyond just attaining their MSCE certificates, except one. One of the girls is about to graduate with a degree. I struggled to make ends meet. Before my husband’s death we were neither rich nor poor. We were comfortable and had most of the things we needed.  I started running some small businesses apart from my advocacy work. I am glad that I have managed to make them stand on their own. Now they support me financially. They have even given me grand children!

 How did your parents and people around you mould you into what you are today?

When I was young I used to think my parents were mistreating me by making me do the same work that my siblings were doing. It is only when I got married that I realised they meant good.

 You are the Executive Director of Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE). Tell us about the organisation and your involvement.

It is an organisation of women and girls with disabilities. Our main mission is to promote meaningful participation and self-representation of women and girls with disabilities by advocating for their rights. As such, we strive for barrier-free society whereby women and girls with disabilities maximise their potential.

 What challenges do you face in your current position and what strategies do you use to get through them?

There are a lot of challenges. DIWODE has no established secretariat. We use FEDOMA resource centre. So, sometimes when I have work to do I find the centre is being used by others. Mobility and transport is another challenge. Our public transport service is not disability friendly. It denies me use of public transport which is at least cheaper. The only alternative is to ask friends and relatives with cars to help. This is quite inconvenient to them. As a long term strategy we would want to employ a programmes officer to assist in resource mobilisation.

 What does an average workday involve for you?

In short it involves planning, designing, and implementation of policies, programmes and projects. It is basically about management and resource mobilisation.

 Has being successful and holding your current position changed you in any way?

Yes, I am now a recognised ILO Expert Trainer in Women Entrepreneurship Development. I have held positions in different boards, visited different countries to participate in fora and trainings.

 People with disabilities face a lot of challenges, but what do you think are the major ones and need immediate address?

There is a saying that states that ‘Mobility is progress in development’. To go to school you need mobility. Participation needs mobility.

 How do you think they can be tackled?

There is need for proper planning. Access to disability-friendly education infrastructure should be given priority. This will encourage people with disabilities to easily attain higher education.

 Most people with disabilities don’t go far with their education. What do you think draws them back?

There are a lot of reasons. Issues of transport and mobility, accessibility to disability-friendly road infrastructure, buildings, lack of personal assistants, costs to access education, and even negative attitude of the communities, etc.

 Do you have any awards on your desk?

I believe my awards are what people benefit from my work. That is what matters. But if I was to formally get any, I would not reject them.

 Do you want to leave any legacy?

I think, I have already started, by working with the communities.

 What is your life philosophy? What are your guiding principles?

More on others, less on myself. Life is what you make. I try to think of others better than myself.

 What are some of the things that you absolutely love and cannot do without?

My Bible.

 Who are the people in the group of your friends?

All classes, because each person has something to offer in my life. I have a lot of people who have mould and shaped my life to my present status. These include the widows group in my area. We do have different social and economic activities together. We strengthen each other.

 Any ambitions?

I would want to establish a business development service business. I would want to do more to empower women.

 How do you manage to balance family and work?

It is a matter if planning and strategising.

What role has your current family played in helping you reach greater heights?

My family, including my grand children are my legs, personal assistants, and support group, in general.

What are your weaknesses?

I think I easily give up. To improve on this I like delegating.