Streetlife stories

Mary Nalavwe

My name is Mary Nalavwe.

I was born in March 2001 in Lusaka and lived with my mum and my dad, who was a mechanic and ran his own small garage in our backyard. My mum was a homemaker and spent her time raising me and my two younger sisters.

Then in 2008 my father died. All our needs depended on him and everything went sideways.

All the responsibilities were left to mum, and because she was unemployed and unqualified, she found it a very big challenge to take care of us. 

She decided to send me away to my aunt to lighten the burden.

My stay at my aunt’s house was my worst nightmare; I was turned into the house maid and whenever I asked for time to rest I would be mistreated, until I couldn’t take it anymore and had to return to my mother’s place, hoping things had changed. Nothing had.

Mum used to send me to sell water and small-sachet drinks, but the little we got for them was only enough for one meal. 

In 2012 things changed again. Mum had trained to be a hairdresser and started cutting people’s hair from home, and months later got married again.

My stepfather, despite not being well-to-do, managed to send me back to school, but after a few years of marriage they were divorced and I was sent away again – this time to my grandmother in Kitwe. 

I was filled with tears when I discovered that Grandma had a lot of other children she taking care of. 

A few weeks later, a friend discovered my situation and suggested I go to the Streetlife project. I didn’t know it at the time but that was a turning point in my life. 

I was admitted and my life at this moment felt like a dream come true; I had a bed of my own, friends and three full meals a day.

I was back in school and enjoying many other privileges.

My gratitude is beyond measure, and my situation showed me that there is hope for everyone out there. 

Thank-you Mayo-mayo, thank-you Dr. Mwila and thank-you to all the sponsors and partners. May God richly bless you, love Mary.