Staff Reporter
Gwanda — From a remote village in Gwanda District to a science teacher training college in Harare, 20-year-old Caroline Noleen Ncube is defying disability stereotypes and gender barriers, demonstrating how targeted educational support can transform lives and open doors for girls from marginalised communities.
Caroline, from Fumukwe Village in the Manama area, is pursuing a Diploma in Secondary Education at Belvedere Technical Teachers College (BTTC), specialising in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Her achievement is a significant milestone for a young woman whose journey has been shaped by a physical disability that affects her mobility, challenging living conditions and societal attitudes that often limit the educational aspirations of persons with disabilities.
“Coming from Fumukwe to college is a big achievement for me. I never thought a girl from my village, with a disability, would one day be at Belvedere Technical Teachers College studying Science,” Caroline said.
“It shows me that with support, hard work and belief, anything is possible. I am proud of myself, and I am grateful to my parent, Nkomwa Foundation Trust, and FAWE Mastercard Foundation for believing in me.”
Caroline’s breakthrough came in 2024 when she encountered Nkomwa Foundation Trust (NFT) during a community outreach programme and was subsequently identified as a Community Disability Champion for Ward 17.
Recognising her academic potential, NFT supported her to relocate to Gwanda urban and rewrite Mathematics in 2025, a crucial step towards advancing her education.
After passing the subject, she received further assistance in exploring tertiary education opportunities, eventually securing a place in the FAWE Mastercard Foundation Programme.
For Caroline, the transition from her rural home to college represents more than personal progress but a challenge to the assumptions that disability, gender and poverty should determine how far a girl can go in life.
“When I look back, from Fumukwe to college, it feels like a dream. In my village, many people thought because of my disability, my education would end at primary school level. But I passed Maths, I made it to tertiary, and today I am studying Physics, Chemistry and Biology,” she said.
She hopes her achievement will encourage other girls with disabilities to pursue education despite the barriers they may face.
“My achievement is not just for me. It is for my village, for my parent, and for every girl with a disability who thinks she cannot make it. If I can move from Fumukwe to Belvedere, they can also move from where they are to where they want to be,” Caroline said.
Her progress has also brought pride to her community, with Ward 17 Councillor Ntuthuko Mabulala Nyathi describing her journey as evidence that equal opportunities can enable persons with disabilities to realise their potential.
“The identification of a rural girl deep in the heart of Gwanda District, in the Manama area, by Nkomwa Foundation Trust and her elevation to platforms in the sunshine city is a true testimony that, given equal opportunities, disability is not inability,” he said.
“I am very proud of Caroline for grabbing the opportunity and putting us on the national platforms. She is doing well for herself and for us as Ward 17. I hope her story might inspire more.”
Caroline’s pursuit of a career in science education also challenges persistent gender stereotypes that discourage girls from pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Her journey underscores the importance of identifying learners with potential in underserved communities and providing the practical support needed to help them progress through the education system.
As NFT marks six years since its establishment on October 19, 2020, Caroline’s story reflects the organisation’s work in advancing disability inclusion, educational empowerment and opportunities for young people who might otherwise be left behind.
NFT Founding Executive Director Dr Pick Nkomwa said Caroline’s journey demonstrated why organisations working with persons with disabilities must look beyond their immediate circumstances and recognise their abilities and ambitions.
“When I met Caroline in 2024, I recognised an academically capable young woman whose potential risked being overlooked because of her circumstances. We supported her to rewrite Mathematics, and when she passed, we explored opportunities to help her continue her education,” Dr Nkomwa said.
“Caroline represents the hundreds of young girls and women with disabilities from marginalised communities whom NFT has supported over the past six years. Their potential is not the problem; often, the problem is the lack of opportunities and support.”
Caroline’s story reinforces a message at the heart of NFT’s work that disability does not diminish potential, and when barriers to education are addressed, girls and young women can pursue their ambitions, transform their lives and inspire entire communities.
New Ziana
