Influential Woman · Education

Leonora Mukumba

Lecturer, Women's University in Africa

Arlington, VA

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Diploma in Education Degree Bachelor's in Social Sciences from Women's University in Africa Degree Master's Degree

Her Story

About Leonora

I started my career in 2003 as a teacher with just a diploma. I did my first degree starting in 2013 - there is a big gap because my diploma was in 2000 and up to 2012, I was comfortable by being just a high school teacher, but something ignited in me. As I always say, it's never too late to start something. I started my first degree, then I did my master's degree, and I'm also aiming to do a PhD possibly next year. I am now a director of Little Dreamers, an early childhood education center in Zimbabwe, as well as a part-time lecturer at tertiary institutions. If I had to choose one of my most notable professional achievements, I would choose being a kindergarten director most, because I have got one daughter, but I had wanted many children. So by starting Little Dreamers school, it's like I am now a mother to many. The children come to you and express everything, and you should love all of them. At the end of the day, I feel fulfilled, I feel loved by those children, I feel that I have something to do tomorrow. At Little Dreamers, because of the financial challenges in our education system, we have got a women empowerment project that we do with mothers of our learners. We teach them how to be self-sufficient or self-reliant. We teach them how to make detergents so that they don't have to wait for the husband. We meet once in a quarter, or every term - our school calendar runs in terms, we have three terms. So every term we do a workshop where we teach them to make detergents, do events decorations, how to bake cakes, how to make simple meals. Some of the parents are making a living out of that - they make detergents and sell them, and at the end of the day, they are able to pay school fees for their children.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Leonora

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute most of my success to my husband, who is very supportive, as well as my only daughter who is always encouraging me to do great.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice that I have received is to do what you love most, or to engage in a career that is fulfilling, not only for the sake of the remuneration or the financial benefits. When you are at the workplace, you spend a lot of time at the workplace, so literally, that's where your life is. You should do something that makes you feel happy.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

My advice to women in my industry is that it's never too late to start what you love most, or what you like. It's never too late even to do career development, because life is a lifelong learning process.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The challenges that we are facing, especially in my industry - I would like to give the background of the education system in Zimbabwe. The education system is not fully funded by the government. So at times, parents cannot raise enough money, or they don't have enough resources. You can see a capable child who can start very well, but then he would drop out of school because of lack of funds. That's the most discouraging thing, even at university. Some have to drop out of college before they finish because of financial challenges. As for opportunities that are available, we encourage our students to be entrepreneurial. For example, if one takes a degree maybe in agriculture, he can also do something on his own, or start a business, start to engage himself, and be an employer to others. Those are opportunities that are also available.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

In my personal life, the most important values are being patient, especially when dealing with children or when you are dealing with students. You have to be patient enough because of the generation gaps. Also, you have to be someone who is trustworthy, because when parents give you their children, they are trusting you, so you should be someone who is trustworthy. And also, I think when you are in the education sector, you should be someone who is confidential. Confidentiality is very important.

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