In continued celebration of Women’s Day this month, we share with your the reflections of 10-year-old Edna Barasa, a student at Dignitas partner school Zeal Primary School. 

Tell me a little bit about yourself

I am 10 years old, my mum stays at home and my dad is a watchman. I have an older brother at university and an older sister at college.

Who is your role model?

My mum is my hero because she cares for me so much. I really respect her.

She also cares for me more than my dad cares for me. She buys me clothes, she takes care of me, she makes sure that my school fees are paid and even if I have some difficulties she helps me to fix them.

Like if I don’t feel like learning, she tells me that learning is something important that will help me the future like getting good job opportunities. She also looks after me when I’m sick.

Who else is a role model for you?

The director of our school, her name is Evelyne. She’s caring, and she loves to be with the students. And even if you have a problem you can tell her and she’ll help you to solve it easily.

She even brings visitors to the school that helps us, she brings us books to school to read and she helps us with other things.

Is she nice, or is she tough? What is she like?

She’s a bit tough, but that is a good thing because when we do something bad, she‘ll be tough so we don’t repeat that thing again and you start getting better behaviour.  She helps us become who we want to be, and to become better Kenyans.

What do you want to do in the future once you’ve finished school?

I want to be a doctor so I can help my fellow Kenyans, because I don’t want to see them very unhappy. I want them to have a good life like mine.

Have you ever met a female doctor before?

Yes, she was called Ruth. I met her at the hospital when I was really sick and she treated me. She advised me that it was not good to leave sick people on the streets, but we should help them including the poor and the rich.

What is your favourite subject at school?

Science is my favourite class, I learn about the human body, teeth, and the plants and vegetation as well. I got 85% mark.

What’s the secret to your good marks?

Reading and learning, and coming to tuition on Saturday. When some others are at home on Saturday we are still learning.