UWCSEA
STORIES
Scholar Spotlight
Medylean ’22
Medylean ’22 was dramatically affected by the school closure, given she had only just started Grade 11 when COVID-19 closed the doors of Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa (where the school year runs January–December) and she returned home to Zimbabwe. Medylean embodies the very concepts of grit and resilience. Before attending Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa, she grew up in poverty-stricken rural Zimbabwe with only periodic access to education as her parents struggled to pay school fees. Fuelled with determination and big dreams to carve out a better life for her family and community, she attended lessons in school when her family was able to afford the fees and continued studying independently when money ran out. Despite these challenges she achieved outstanding O-Level results before having to pause her studies to work as a maid for a year to help support the family. Being selected for the UWCSEA Staff Scholarship to attend Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa was a life-changing opportunity. Yet within weeks of starting, the College closed due to the pandemic. Returning home to the isolated farm, she struggled with online learning and connectivity issues and eventually moved to Harare to stay with an uncle. Internet access remained a challenge and cell data proved expensive but the UWCSEA Staff Fund was able to help with a phone and data. Medylean’s determination to continue her studies and carve out a better future is truly inspirational. She looks forward to returning to Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa as soon as possible.
“COVID-19 has disproportionately affected so many vulnerable communities. Students from challenging backgrounds, like Medylean, have faced particular hardships that have risked de-railing their schooling. We hope the extra support from the Staff Scholarship Fund can help to ensure our scholars can continue their UWC education and open doors to a brighter future.” MARY NEWBIGIN, Grade 1 teacher
