Our First University Graduates
In 2023, 17 young women become the first students to obtain their diploma and graduate from Malaika School. Education is not a given in the village of Kalebuka, and incredibly, some of these girls became the first in their families to complete secondary school. Three years later, our first graduates have completed university.
Four young women, Deborah, Jolie, and sisters Amida and Audience, have earned their bachelor's degrees: two in medicine and pediatrics, one in business management and work organization, and one in multimedia and digital communications.
We asked each of them to tell us, in their own words, what they studied, what their degree means to them, what they carry from their years at Malaika, and what comes next.
Here is what they shared:
Deborah | Pediatrics
I studied paediatrics at ISTM Lubumbashi. I chose this field because I have always been interested in health, particularly in the care of children. To me, a child represents the future of our society, and contributing to their health and well-being is a responsibility I care about enormously.
Paediatrics is a field that asks for a great deal of patience, attention, compassion, and responsibility. During my training, I came to understand that caring for a child is also about reassuring parents, staying attentive to the child's needs, and offering care with great humanity, much more than just treating illness. It is that human dimension that made me love my field even more.
My degree represents the trust that several people placed in me. I think of my family, the people who supported me, my teachers, and particularly Malaika, who walked with me through a very large part of my life.
Malaika was an environment where I learned to grow, to become more responsible, and to believe in my own capabilities. I feel enormous gratitude towards Malaika for believing in my potential and for making it possible for me to continue my studies all the way to university.
When I look back on my journey, I understand that this degree is not the end. It is the start of a new stage. My thirteen years at Malaika gave me the foundations, my university gave me the knowledge, and now it is up to me to turn all of that into action and results. For the future, my first goal is to work in paediatrics and to put the knowledge I have gained at the service of children and my community.
I will finish simply with one word: thank you. Thank you to Malaika for believing in me all these years. Thank you to everyone who supported and encouraged me. If I can look to the future with confidence today, it is also because I was supported and encouraged to believe that education could open doors.
Audience | Medicine, specialising in Paediatrics
At university, I studied medicine with a focus on paediatrics because I have always wanted to contribute to the health and well-being of children. This specialty drew me in through its human, preventive, and curative sides, and through how much it matters in our communities.
Finishing my degree showed me the long journey I had gone through, made of effort, sacrifice, and perseverance. It also stands for a great responsibility: to serve children with competence, respect, and compassion.
My thirteen years at Malaika were a period of training, learning and growth. I learned discipline, a love of work done well, team spirit, and above all, a sense of service to others.
My university experience was demanding but enriching. Malaika prepared me a great deal by helping me develop the rigour and practical sense I need to work in paediatrics.
In the future, I hope to keep developing my expertise in paediatrics and to put my skills at the service of children and families. I also want to contribute to prevention, care, and the improvement of child health in my community.
Amida | Business Management
This degree represents the culmination of a long journey; years of effort, sacrifice, patience, and perseverance. When I look at the path I have travelled, I realise that every difficulty I met only made me stronger. To me, this degree is a great source of pride and a reason to go further. It is the beginning of a new responsibility and a new professional adventure.
I studied Business Management and Work Organization. I chose this field because I wanted to understand how businesses function, how work is organised, and above all, how to manage human resources effectively. I was drawn into the field because, beyond running a company, it’s also about knowing how to work with people, taking on responsibility, solving problems, and contributing to the success of an organisation.
My thirteen years at Malaika have been a large part of my life. I grew up there, learned there, and gradually became the person I am today. Malaika had already given me some important foundations: discipline, respect, a real work ethic, and perseverance. Those values helped me enormously in meeting the demands of university.
My time at university was an enriching experience in which I discovered a great deal of new knowledge and learned to be independent, make decisions, and take responsibility.
My first goal out of school is to find a professional opportunity that lets me put my knowledge into practice and gain more experience. In the long term, I would like to build a career in management, particularly in human resources and work organisation. I would also like to develop my own projects and become an independent woman, capable of creating value and providing opportunities for others.
Above all, I want my journey to serve as an example. You can start far behind and face difficulties, but with determination and hard work, you can reach your goals.
Jolie | Multimedia and Digital Communication
Being part of the very first graduating class in 2023 was an incredible honour and a pivotal moment in my life. Today, seeing so many of my sisters following the same path fills me with pride and hope - it is inspiring to see how our journey has encouraged others to pursue their dreams with confidence. Together, we continue to break barriers and show that education can transform lives.
Studying Multimedia and Digital Communication has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. University was where I discovered my passion, developed valuable skills, and grew personally and professionally. I learned to think creatively, to communicate effectively, and to embrace ongoing learning through every project, presentation, and challenge. These experiences have shaped me into who I am today and prepared me for the opportunities ahead.
As I move forward, I want to build a career as a digital content strategist, using creativity and innovation to create meaningful communication. I hope to mentor young women who want to pursue careers in digital media, encouraging them to believe in their abilities and to embrace every opportunity. And in the future, I dream of starting my own creative agency focused on telling authentic African stories and empowering local talent.
My heart is filled with gratitude as I look back on this journey.Being one of the first graduates was the start of a legacy. I hope my journey continues to inspire many more young women to dream boldly, work hard, and believe that anything is possible.
