Mystory@Selina S Stephano: How I made my career – Challenges and successes

Mystory@Selina Simon Stephano

For me, getting education was difficult as I could not afford to pay for the expenses. I had no financial help either. Thus, I opted for self-employment with the help of the Government. It was necessary for me to earn because I had to provide for my family.

When I was in hostel, life was tough. There was lack of basic amenities. The drinking water was not good and the food was costly. In tough times, there are several moments when you feel weak and are likely to fall to the lure of easy money. However, I believe if you keep faith in God and pray he will open the way for you. Or else, engage in an activity and work hard, you will surely find a way out of your misery.

Through entrepreneurship, I learnt a few important lessons which were not taught in college i.e. to succeed on has to work hard, acquire skills and knowledge; be responsible, transparent and accountable towards your duties. These qualities helped me in tackling challenges I faced in running my business. Other key things I learnt are to have plans, generate alternatives and put them into action to achieve goals. Also, involve stakeholders, because they equally contribute in solving problems arising in an enterprise.

I feel, to be successful, one should involve the community as its participation is crucial for finding solutions to problems. Since, they are the once facing problems in real life, it is important to have their participation.

In the hindsight, I have made mistakes and have learned from them. When I look back, I do feel that I should have given a proper channel to my people share their ideas and opinions as for the development of our country and community, peoples’ opinion is very important. I want to forget my mistakes and move on to impart knowledge and empower my people.

I aspire to set up an institution which will help poor families and women in need. Women in our society are discriminated against due to lack of education and suffer due to lack of power and agency to make decisions. I want to help them and my community which is facing the issues of poverty, gender discrimination and lack of education.

If I get a chance I would like to improve further to achieve greater success in what I am doing.

About the Author:                                          

I am Selina Simon Stephano. I am a 24-year-old woman from Shinyanga, Tanzania. I have completed Bachelor’s in Development Studies from University of Dodoma and currently running a small business. My hobbies are watching movies, cooking, swimming and travelling. I wish to be at a position from where I can defend the rights of women and the poor.