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.
