The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Weekender Correspondent
AFTER growing up as a depressed and dejected orphan in the remote areas of Chimanimani with no caring relatives and friends, a 21-year-old budding writer has published a book titled “Walks of Life”.
Yvonne Tsumbirani, an Upper Sixth pupil at Nyamauru High School in Dangamvura, said she was inspired by a sad tale of events that took place since she lost her parents when she was 12.
The book inspires people, particularly the girl child, to be resilient, focused and unwavering during turbulent times.
In the book, the talented writer encourages readers not to be affected emotionally, physically and spiritually by past experiences.
“It is a book that I wrote after encountering some hurdles as an orphan. The book conveys a message of hope. I have mirrored it through a narrative story of Annaloice, who is an epitome of depression as she faces and fights orphan-hood through the dire situations she goes through in life. The book is targeting my peers and even the older ones, reminding them that our hideous past does not determine our present and future.
“This is true to the old adage that: “Life is no straight and easy corridor along which we travel free and unhampered, but a maze of passages, through which we must seek our way, lost and confused.” With God everything is possible, all we have to do is embrace change in all walks of life,” said Tsumbirani.
She added: “Growing up without a mother in a defenceless remote village in Chimanimani will forever be an experience and a memory, vivid and indomitable to alter.
“Little, confused and depressed I came to live in Mutare, where the only face familiar was my brother’s. I grew up being segregated owing to my village background, partial education and unfamiliarity with city life.”
Born in 2000, she attended Dangamvura Primary School and St Dominic’s High School in Mutare.
Tsumbirani is currently studying for her ‘A’ Levels and is a senior prefect.
She said she is a believer and gets inspiration from the word of God.
“By listening and doing what it says, everyone can lead a victorious life. Times are tough, yes, and challenges are always there, but today I fight my battle for emotional and educational independence as an ambitious pupil keen to liberate those in the same predicament as me.
“Through the protagonist, Annaloice, readers will find that happiness is, but an occasional episode in the general drama of a painful journey of life. Social class or status is presented as not all that defines a happy life. One can live a happy and normal life without carrying any social title at all,” said Tsumbirani.
She added that encounters with different people of various age groups she has met have shaped and moulded her into the person she is today.
“One of the most amazing encounters which have shaped and given me the courage to quietly persist with writing is when I metthe award-winning author of “Amplified Silence”, Takudzwa Masapa.
He mentored me from the word go and through his encouragement, I have learnt and still learning from him.
Listening to and doing what theword of God says has helped me get through some of life’s difficulties,” said Tsumbirani.
Unlike many motivational writers, Yvonne chooses not to go too didactic.
Rather, she brings in a narrative flavour as she lets Annaloice drive the message home through her resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable vagaries of the world.
The little girl does not let her orphan-hood deter her from fighting for her space. She curves and negotiates her journey in life.
