HANNAH AND CHOKUNYANYA
Hannah was attractive, softly spoken and had a good
sense of humour. Even at primary school, her parents bought her
beauty products to groom herself and her skin glowed like a baby’s
skin. Everyone wanted to be close to her and to associate with this
beautiful girl. The school head chose her to be the face of the
school because of her looks and good character, and Hannah did not
mind at all. She was the one tasked with giving presents to guest
speakers, to serve food to teachers on special occasions or to give
garlands to the local ZPH (the Zenith Party of Human Rights)
politician whenever he visited the school to donate money or books.
In that environment, textbooks were gold to some pupils, as not every
child could afford them, except the fortunate ones like Hannah. The
local ZPH Member of Parliament was well respected for his generous
donations to the school, and always won that seat at every election.
Hannah was the envy of everyone at school. Mr
Chokunyanya was her class teacher and he was among the twenty-one
strong staff at St Faith’s Mission. The rumours were that Mr
Chokunyanya loved the women, and had tried it on with every single
lady teacher at the school. He grinned every time a woman passed him.
Mr Chokunyanya’s wife was also a primary school teacher who worked
at a rural school, a hundred kilometres away from St Faith’s
Mission. Mai Chokunyanya was a large, curvy, likeable woman, and
schoolchildren used to gather around her like she was a spectacle.
She probably weighed around 140 kilos, and was so curvy that the
children used to mock her and say that a mug of tea would rest
comfortably on her behind. Mr Chokunyanya seemed somewhat embarrassed
to be seen in the company of his wife, as he was half her size and
much shorter. Whenever they were in each other’s company, he would
lead the way and move a few metres ahead of her, as if they were not
together, and they rarely spoke to each other in public. The children
whispered about this behind their backs. It looked like Chokunyanya
was happier in Mai (Mrs)
Chokunyanya’s absence, and this gave him
the chance to see other women, or so the rumours went.
(In the Zimbabwean Shona language and in the book, Chokunyanya is a man who cheats (excessively!) on his wife. As his name implies, this cheating comes to an abrupt end, and he reaps what he sows.).............he did
not turn up at the end of his holiday
"BEING A WOMAN IN AFRICA"
By Ruth Pink is available as
Softcover [6 x 9] 124 pages ] ISBN 978-1-4918-7957-3
E-book [124 pages] ISBN 978-1-4918-7958-0
The book launch is on the 30th of November 2013 at Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, England AL7 3XD
Also buy the book from Charityhopetrust and support their cause to educate African children. Their website is http://www.charityhope.org.uk/
Please follow the e-bay link below to purchase this book, 100% of the proceeds from e-bay for Charity sales will go towards helping Charityhopetrust.
By Ruth Pink is available as
Softcover [6 x 9] 124 pages ] ISBN 978-1-4918-7957-3
E-book [124 pages] ISBN 978-1-4918-7958-0
The book launch is on the 30th of November 2013 at Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, England AL7 3XD
Also buy the book from Charityhopetrust and support their cause to educate African children. Their website is http://www.charityhope.org.uk/
Please follow the e-bay link below to purchase this book, 100% of the proceeds from e-bay for Charity sales will go towards helping Charityhopetrust.
WEDNESDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2013
BEING A WOMAN IN AFRICA
NEW NOVEL EXPOSES MISOGYNY IN PATRIARCHAL CULTURES ....
'Being a Woman in Africa' offers firsthand glimpse into mistreatment of women........
HATFIELD, HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND - In her new book "Being a Woman in Africa" author Ruth Pink draws on her childhood experiences to craft a novel that exposes the horrible treatment of women in some African cultures.
Rosewitta, a young African woman, is born and bred in a family and a society, which have prejudices against women. Her polygamous father is reluctant to send her to school, and he is violent towards her, her mother and sisters. She manages to get an education, but goes on to suffer sexual harassment at work. At the end, Rosewitta is the only one in the family who seems to have an opening in life, but at the point when success seems to be within reach, her husband dies at a tender age and she suffers further prejudices.
"My main goal is to create awareness about the problems that some women face today - lack of education, domestic violence, sexual harassment, rape, poverty and poor health," Pink says. "I want to motivate people around the world to take action and to think about the issues which come out of the story. Where possible - and after reading this book - readers should start making changes which help womenfolk, wherever they are in this world - big or small changes."
"BEING A WOMAN IN AFRICA"
By Ruth Pink is available as
Softcover [6 x 9] 124 pages ] ISBN 978-1-4918-7957-3
E-book [124 pages] ISBN 978-1-4918-7958-0
The book launch is on the 30th of November 2013 at Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, England AL7 3XD
You can also buy the book from Charityhopetrust and support their cause to educate African children. Their website is http://www.charityhope.org.uk/
Please follow the e-bay link below to purchase this book and support African children. 100% of the proceeds will go towards helping the above charity.
".....Absolutely amazing book. An engaging narrative that will leave your heart aching for the African woman's plight. I highly recommend it." Dr Mercy
".....Absolutely brilliant..." Pauline, Hatfield, Herts
".....it makes beautiful reading." Delia, Stevenage, Herts
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=291010233402
'Being a Woman in Africa' offers firsthand glimpse into mistreatment of women........
HATFIELD, HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND - In her new book "Being a Woman in Africa" author Ruth Pink draws on her childhood experiences to craft a novel that exposes the horrible treatment of women in some African cultures.
Rosewitta, a young African woman, is born and bred in a family and a society, which have prejudices against women. Her polygamous father is reluctant to send her to school, and he is violent towards her, her mother and sisters. She manages to get an education, but goes on to suffer sexual harassment at work. At the end, Rosewitta is the only one in the family who seems to have an opening in life, but at the point when success seems to be within reach, her husband dies at a tender age and she suffers further prejudices.
"My main goal is to create awareness about the problems that some women face today - lack of education, domestic violence, sexual harassment, rape, poverty and poor health," Pink says. "I want to motivate people around the world to take action and to think about the issues which come out of the story. Where possible - and after reading this book - readers should start making changes which help womenfolk, wherever they are in this world - big or small changes."
"BEING A WOMAN IN AFRICA"
By Ruth Pink is available as
Softcover [6 x 9] 124 pages ] ISBN 978-1-4918-7957-3
E-book [124 pages] ISBN 978-1-4918-7958-0
The book launch is on the 30th of November 2013 at Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, England AL7 3XD
You can also buy the book from Charityhopetrust and support their cause to educate African children. Their website is http://www.charityhope.org.uk/
Please follow the e-bay link below to purchase this book and support African children. 100% of the proceeds will go towards helping the above charity.
".....Absolutely amazing book. An engaging narrative that will leave your heart aching for the African woman's plight. I highly recommend it." Dr Mercy
".....Absolutely brilliant..." Pauline, Hatfield, Herts
".....it makes beautiful reading." Delia, Stevenage, Herts
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/
TUESDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2013
BEING A WOMAN IN AFRICA
BOOK DETAILS
http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000569492
FRIDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2013
BEING A WOMAN IN AFRICA
BEING A WOMAN IN AFRICA
This blog post is written in support of the work done by a charitable organisation called Charity Hope Trust. Find them onhttp://www.charityhope.org.uk
In writing this novel, I was inspired by the way I grew up in Zimbabwe. I struggled to get an education and I faced discrimination from school authorities just because I was a girl. This truly happened to me! (The headteacher said to me..... with the results you have you do not qualify to study 'A' level Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry – given the school you came from) Meanwhile boys with similar results to mine and girls from a 'better girls' school' (in the Head's eyes!) were offered the above subjects (yet the curriculum was the same countrywide!!!!!)
Even after qualifying for a certain profession and getting a job, I did not get equal treatment with menfolk. There were some men at the work place - always ready to undress you with their eyes and making nasty comments about female colleagues. (I always heard this saying that 'Men are hunters and women are the hunted' umm)
As I grew up, most women and girls suffered as I did, for some it was even worse. (The case of Sarah who was married off at a tender age haunts me up to today – it's a true story but I have changed her name.)
So in my novel (which is a very easy read) I write about these problems – poverty, education or lack of it, rape, abuse, poor health just to name a few. My main aim is to create awareness about these issues, and to get all you readers thinking!
My new book BEING A WOMAN IN AFRICA will be available soon:
This novel will come in the following formats;
* 6 x 9 Perfect bound soft cover ISBN 9-781-4918-7957-3
* 6 x 9 Case bound hard cover ISBN 9-781-4817-9814-3
* E-book ISBN 9-781-4918-7958-0
The book will be available in October/ November 2013. There will be a Book Launch Buffet on the 30th of November 2013 at Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England from 1600 hours to 2200 hours. Come and listen to your favourite speakers, and also get a chance to support your favourite Charity.
Pink Rose
SATURDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2013
LIFE IN AFRICA
LATER PRIMARY SCHOOL YEARS .....
In my previous blog post, you may remember what I wrote - I started my primary education at a remote rural school in Mutoko, Zimbabwe, in the early 1970s. The civil war in Zimbabwe had only just begun and no one was sure where the country was heading in terms of the war.
Most school children came from distant villages and were walking barefoot to get to school. Most ran the danger of running into 'Rhodesian forces' on the one hand or 'guerilla freedom fighters' on the other, in the dark and scary forests which they had to pass through.
I started my primary education in 1973. Two years after that my siblings and I left the school because the civil war had intensified. I left behind all my classmates who had nowhere else to go. I left behind Sarah and Rosewitta (names changed). Rumours were that Sarah had already been forced to marry a polygamous man from a certain religious sect, although she still came to school, and indeed she behaved like a married 'woman' at that tender age. One of my teachers liked and admired Rosewitta. He would send her to his house - to clean his house, cook for him; and wash his clothes and under-wear.
Years later, that remote school was closed. I don't know what happened to most of my school mates, whether they continued with their education or not.
*
At the new location, the ordeal continued. My siblings and I still travelled long distances, and on bare feet. We now had to pass through dark, scary forests and along the way we met insane people who always threatened us with violence.
Even though that region was much better (in terms of the climatic conditions and accessibility) life was still hard. The new school was still in a rural region. We found it hard to get the basic things of life – food, water, books, school uniforms, shoes, pens or pencils. Hardships were evident all over the rural landscape – every other year there was a drought, low rainfall and extreme temperatures. This was not helpful as most people relied on the land. During the farming season, when climatic conditions were conducive, we worked hard in the fields. The income from agricultural activities would help us pay our tuition fees. All this inspired me to get an education as I did not want to work in the fields all my life. I worked hard in the fields, and twice as hard at school. I had to make maximum use of the natural daylight to study, (fortunately there is plenty sunshine in Africa), only if I wasn't working in the fields or performing household duties.
At the school, the events which had happened at the remote Mutoko school, seemed to repeat themselves. One of the male teachers at the new school liked and admired one of his female pupils. (I will call her Ruva – flower.) He would send her to his house to do chores for him. This took a sinister turn and rumours were that something bad was happening to this young girl. No-one reported anything, no-one took action and no-one investigated. During that time no-one carried out criminal checks on adults who worked with young children. We did not know who was who.
I have a few questions though, 40 years on - or 33 years after Zimbabwe became independent;
- Is every eligible child getting the education they need?
- Is the quality of education improving – access to books, provision of good buildings – classrooms, libraries, sanitation?
- Are criminal checks done on teachers who work in Zimbabwean schools today?
- Are safeguarding policies and child protection in force in our remote schools?
*
This blog post is written in support of the work done by a charitable organisation called Charity Hope Trust. Find them onhttp://www.charityhope.org.uk
My new book BEING A WOMAN IN AFRICA will be available soon:
This novel will come in the following formats;
* 6 x 9 Perfect bound soft cover ISBN 9-781-4918-7957-3
* 6 x 9 Case bound hard cover ISBN 9-781-4817-9814-3
* E-book ISBN 9-781-4918-7958-0
It's likely to be available before the end of November 2013. There will be a Book Launch Buffeton the 30th of November 2013 at a venue to be announced. Come and listen to your favourite speakers, and also get a chance to support your favourite Charity.
*
Comments on the book so far;
“It is a very moving story portraying some of the sad realities that Zimbabwean women face. ….. Many will shed a tear as I did whilst reading it.”- Dr Mercy Nyawanza
“A very good story line ….. with an unexpected ending.” Monilola Ogundare (University of Hertfordshire law graduate)
“An intense and gripping read......... it brought tears to my eyes.” - blog follower on
ruthpink.blogspot.com
*
SATURDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2013
BEING A WOMAN .. ISBN 978 149 1879573
BEING A WOMAN IN AFRICA
Rosewitta is born in a poor but very large family. She and her mother struggle for survival on a daily basis; in a society laden with certain cultural beliefs and societal imbalances. If a pair of knickers are considered a luxury in her immediate environment, how does the wider society deal with some of her other basic needs?
Rosewitta's story is narrated in very simple terms highlighting the daily struggles of women in such an environment. The story not only narrates, but goes further to explore how women manage to survive and at the same time raise very large families. After all is said and done, does anyone recognize this plight of women? Does Rosewitta, like all other women in similar circumstances, succeed in her quest for survival and recognition?
*
“It is a very moving story portraying some of the sad realities that Zimbabwean women face. ….. Many will shed a tear as I did whilst reading it.”- Dr Mercy Nyawanza
“A very good story line ….. with an unexpected ending.” Monilola Ogundare (University of Hertfordshire law graduate)
“An intense and gripping read......... it brought tears to my eyes.” - blog follower on ruthpink.blogspot.com
*
This novel will come in the following formats;
* 6 x 9 Perfect bound soft cover ISBN 978 149 1879573
* 6 x 9 Case bound hard cover ISBN 978 148 1798143
* E-book ISBN 978 149 1879580
- It's likely to be available well before the end of November 2013. There will be a Book Launch Buffet at a venue to be announced, and on the 30th of November 2013. Come and listen to your favourite speakers, and also get a chance to support your favourite Charity.
*
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment