Chronicles of a tertiary girl

Motheo Masalila | Tuesday October 27, 2015 14:50

Some of them are first time migrants of the city; the environment is new to them. The bustle and hustle of the rush hour movement is intense to them, let alone the fast cars, the ever developing infrastructures and the high opulent lifestyle of the local people is a new world to them.  Their hunger for success, their determination to alleviate themselves from poverty and lack of employment makes these young people become residents of the city.

We are primarily based in the city for one predominant reason that is to improve our living standards. In the midst of all these circles and channels to success, we find female students struggling with the adjustments to blend in with the society without  having to sell their souls to anyone. 

We have been witnessing riots and strikes of tertiary institutions not only in our country but also beyond our country’s borders.  We hear of bad food catering services, unpleasant  accommodations of school premises, high tuition fees and favouritism.

It got me thinking what happens to these young girls when there are physical tensions between the students, school management and law authorities?  If they are forced out of school as on-campers due to tensions  who takes responsibility of them at that moment I mean the situation can get very scary and unbearable. 

My worry is that it is not everyone who has relatives in the city even if they are, it does not mean they are accommodative of them.  Who gives them financial aid to go home and explain to their parents  about what has been going on in school.

I understand that come mid month most students are broke. Their monthly allowances do not sustain them for the entire month. Girls need more compromises, emotional and financial support in most instances. Their vulnerability sometimes pushes them to end up seeking financial help from outsiders. Taking it from a broader perspective  not all tertiary institutions have enough accommodation for their intakes. Some students end up falling  prey to landlords who price their houses from P850-P1,500 depending on the sizes of the houses,.

They expect their rentals from 28-31th. And they do not take nonsense come month end.  Besides rent, they also need toiletries, groceries, transport and lunch at school.  When you look at all the above things that I have mentioned   they do not add up to P1,400. The budget exceeds P1,400.

It becomes difficult for students, more especially those who come from less privileged families, to afford all the basic needs. Now remember that these young girls came to Gaborone to seek for tools that can take their life to greater places.

Education brings hope to them as some are breadwinners in their families. The plan is to go back home enlightened or instilled with great knowledge, to be innovative, change in behaviour, nationalistic and to be role models to their younger siblings.

But tertiary  life can be unbalanced for a tertiary girl,  failing to meet the basic needs  ends up making them to seek financial aid from outsiders. It is commonly older men who promise these young girls finer things in life. Their rent is taken care of by these older men  who are usually people of big statuses, high positions in organisations, people who have prominent reputations in the city. Some of these young girls are fascinated by this lifestyle because they are new to it. They are even bought better groceries, with all sorts of tasty goodies.

Their regular meals made from simple tin stuff changes to a plate full of vegetables and a whole portion of chicken or beef.  They change from saturated drinks to 100% fruit juices. Their academic programmes are made a lot more easier  as they are bought smartphones, laptops and internet bundles to do their school work.

These men are influential in the physical appearance of some of these girls they are expected to look a certain way, a bit more modern. They always have to be on point  that is their hair, makeup, clothes and nails.

They have to look the part when taken to fancy dinners, extravagant vacations. They are given monthly “girlfriend allowances” to maintain this look.  The government and the relevant stakeholders should look at this very closely as these intergenerational relationships are contributing  to HIV/AIDS and pregnancies Girls end up dropping out of school because apparently the lifestyle that they  are given is addictive.