FROM escaping early marriage, embracing scones selling to pursuing dreams and attaining her coveted degree Beatrice Mumbi has journey is a testament of triumph against all odds.
In the heart of Zambia, amidst the tranquil countryside, Mumbi’s journey began with a choice: succumb to societal pressures or follow her dreams against all obstacles.
At the tender age of thirteen, facing financial constraints that threatened to derail her education, Mumbi defied expectations.
While her mother saw early marriage as the only viable path, Mumbi clung to her passion for learning.
With determination etched in her spirit, she embarked on a remarkable journey that would inspire many.
Instead of yielding to fate, the 29 year old turned to entrepreneurship, a decision that would shape her destiny and empower her to pursue her dreams.
Undeterred by societal norms she harnessed the warmth of a hot oven in grade seven to craft scones that would pave the way for her academic aspirations.
Through the sale of her homemade scones, Mumbi not only funded her education but also challenged societal norms.
Each batch of scones bore the fruits of her labour and resilience, serving as a reminder of the transformative power of determination.
“I couldn’t rely on one source of income,” Beatrice shared reflecting on the challenges she faced.
“Because I was staying in the village, the farms, business was slow. So I used to bake the scones in the evening, start selling early in the morning and could only finish at around 19 hours,” she explained.
Her entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering dedication paid off as she completed her education, thanks to the support of the Catholic church and her own zeal.
“When I finished school, I was told to go back because my relatives said they couldn’t accommodate me in their house. But I questioned how I was going to go to college if I went back to home,” she said.
“I then applied at the University of Zambia and resumed making scones to raise money for my school necessities,” recalled Mumbi.
Mumbi utilised the night for baking, using her friend’s oven while In early in the morning she would make some sales.
She later managed to grab her degree from the University of Zambia in Library and Information Studies with Public Administration.
However, Despite setbacks, she remains undeterred, determined to rebuild and pursue her dreams of studying business administration as a major.
Transitioning her scone business into a full-time endeavor, Mumbi faced yet another hurdle when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2019.
She told Kalemba that the the pandemic caused her stop halt the business but she later continued with determination as her middle name.
Mumbi said her scone business is not just about her sustenance; it’s a stepping stone towards creating opportunities for the less privileged as well.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba April 8, 2024
