When you talk to Cynthia Nabiswa, a second year student of Environmental Science at Rongo University, you can't help but share in her excitement.
Hers is a passionate drive to adjust the little things she feels are going wrong around her. Nabiswa's routine on campus is not considered complete without her making some time for Timiza.
Timiza is the name of her initiative tailored to empower young single mothers on campus. At Timiza, Cynthia offers student mothers insights on how to battle issues that come with single motherhood on campus.
Timiza is a Swahili word meaning to accomplish. Cynthia says seeing her mother growing from a teenage mother to a working woman who juggled things around, and got her degree certificate in her 30s is the spark she needed to ignite flames of success in herself and others.
"My mum always struggled to get the best out of life and she has taught me to always strive to get my own best chunks out of life too. So, I feel like I need to pass on that drive to the girls who need it," she said.
She started the initiative in July this year as part of her long-term dream and goal to aid in the fight for gender equality.
At the heart of Timiza is emphasis on second chance, giving young mothers an ear to express their concerns, and providing necessary guidance on the issues they find dear to them.
Cynthia, being a peer counselor in her university, makes use of her skills to engage student mothers who reach out to her on various issues.
Members of the group buy groceries from rural areas around the university, and sell them to their fellow students making profits which they use to cater for their needs as well as their childrens’ needs.
However, Cynthia explains the need for more people to come on board and help, since the profits made from the grocery business are barely enough.
She divulged that Timiza's doors are open to all who need help as well as those who wish to help those in need.
Nabiswa urged people to shun prejudice and help young girls realise the benefits of looking out for themselves in order to achieve the best.
She hopes Timiza will erase stereotypes associated with single motherhood and foster a society that is accommodating to all.
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