Malola's Museum Adventures: Career Day

Jo e l l e Avelino

Career Day

Malola loved the art museum. It was her favourite place to go.

She always ran through the big, new exhibitions until she found her favourite room at the very back.

It was her own little corner of the world.

A place where she could talk about how her day had been, or what new toys she had got, or sometimes even belt out her favourite song.

Paintings are, after all, the best listeners.

One day at school, Malola’s teacher set them a task.

“Today I’d like you to write about one thing you would like to be when you grow up and present it to the class tomorrow.”

Malola looked at her friends all scribbling away. Confused, she thought to herself,

“What if there’s more than one thing I want to be?

Or even more things I don’t know about yet?”

As soon as she finished school, she ran to her favourite place.

Maybe she could find some help there.

She sat and gazed up at a portrait of a woman who always reminded her of her nana.

Heaving a big sigh, she asked, “What will I be when I grow up?”

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To her surprise, the painting responded.

“My name is Safiya.

You’ve shared many things with us paintings over the years, maybe I could share some of our world with you? Let me show you all the things you could be.’

With her eyes wide in shock, Malola looked up into Safiya’s familiar face and followed her into the painting.

Through the world of thick paint and bright brushstrokes, Safiya led her towards a gentle looking woman confidently giving a talk to thousands!

“Didn’t you love leading songs at the school assembly?

What if you led a nation like Sahle-Work Zewde, the first female president of Ethiopia?”

She could get used to being the centre of attention, and maybe if she were a leader like the president, she could use her power to serve the people and make the world a better place.

Safiya led her to the next frame.

“Or maybe you can lead in the classroom, like Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng. She’s an advocate dedicated to making education more accessible.”

“I do love school!

It would be so great to share that joy with even more kids like me.”

“Or you could be like Baratang Miya.

Her curiosity led her to teaching herself how to code.

She now teaches other girls just like you.”

Malola did love being on the computer.

She imagined the symbols flowing around her, teaching her their language.

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“Will you stand up for what you are passionate about, like Neema Namadamu?

She fights for the rights of women and disabled people. Her work planted a seed in her village that empowers and educates the women in her community.”

“I want to help others!” Malola said.

She loved the idea of standing up for her community, and of being part of something bigger than herself.