Month: August 2026

Lipstick inferno

MY STORY

In my country (Zambia), the Ministry of Education blacklists the names of those who have once sought and worked as teachers outside the country, ostensibly to curb the “brain drain” that once posed a threat to the nation’s human resource spectrum. On one hand, this regulation has achieved its purpose, while on the other, the bulk of graduates offloaded every year from various colleges and universities remain unemployed for years—in some cases, forever. The government’s employing capacity is far below the hordes of trained educators, to a point where such a person is assured of roaming the streets for years long after their graduation.

Years back, I found myself in the same pool of people: years of education and extensive training would now be languishing. Twiddling thumbs would be the order of my life for years to come, without prospects in sight.

After serious consideration, I decided to take the risk of selling my services outside my country, which would in turn, if successful, result in being barred from being employed by government schools. I trekked to neighbouring Botswana anyway, and within a month, I landed myself a four-year contract that felt like the salvation of my life at the time. Back home, I left a wife and our only baby then; I sent most of my earnings home so my young family would live a decent life in my absence.

Continue reading Lipstick inferno

Yearning for a simple life

On 29 May 2021, I was arrested for involvement in a conspiracy to traffic dangerous drugs, and I have now been on remand for nearly four years.

When I was 16, I met my ex-husband, and through him I was introduced to drugs. At that time, I still resisted using them, but because I was deeply in love, I thought that I had to take drugs with him in order to fit into his life. At 18, I became pregnant. We were doing well then — we both quit drugs to welcome our first child, the fruit of our love.

After the baby was born and until he turned one, because of life’s pressures we got involved in drug trafficking again. My ex-husband was the one selling the drugs, while I stayed at home to take care of our son.

In 2002, my ex-husband went to prison for drug offences. I had nothing left, so I went back to my family and told them I had been using drugs. My family are Christians. My mother was very good to me — she arranged for me to go into Barnabas Rehabilitation Centre, and she took care of my son.

A year later, my ex-husband was released from prison, and I left the rehab centre. Soon after, I became pregnant again and gave birth to our daughter in 2024. The government assigned us a public housing flat. We thought we would be happy as a family of four, but it turned out my ex-husband had other women outside, and he shattered my world many times.

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On the road of no return

I have never had the habit of taking drugs. I became involved in this serious crime because I was in debt and wanted to make quick money.

My parents divorced when I was six years old and since then, my father and I have depended on each other for support.

Two years after their divorce, my father was diagnosed with schizophrenia. At that time, we were living with my aunt. Later, my father’s condition worsened, and we needed to vacate my aunt’s home due to a house renovation.

I suffered bullying during at school and that made me very insecure and doubt whether I was suited for living in society. I even stopped attending school on and off for about six months. Eventually, I was sent to a government residential institution for six years, until I turned 18 and moved with my father into public housing.

After I graduated from secondary school, I worked several part-time jobs for two years. When I became unemployed I had to rely on social welfare for a year. During that time, my father’s condition fluctuated, and he was hospitalized several times. Although his condition is manageable now, he still needs regular medical follow-ups.

Continue reading On the road of no return