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Phillipa Mukome Chinhoi

Youth Interactive writer

22-year-old Environmental Engineering student at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), Ropafadzo Mazarire is now officially a US State of Department alumni through the Study of the United States Institutes — SUSI 2024 Cohort.

The Study of the US Institutes (SUSI) programme is an academic exchange programme sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs which aims to provide undergraduate students from various countries with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of different societies, cultures, values, and many institutions.

Ropafadzo went to Norton 1 Primary School, for O-Levels and Roosevelt Girls High School and Sizane High School for A Levels.

Her role models are her mother and aunt Rudo Mamombe whom she said embodies a woman she wants to be.

In an interview with the Youth Interactive section, Ropafadzo said she was also motivated by her family, who push her to work harder for better results.

“Going to the United States had always been one of my wildest dreams but little did I know that through my projects as a social worker, and hard work, the dream would be fulfilled much earlier than I had anticipated,” said Ropafadzo.

“I did a short-term academic programme of five weeks which was hosted at the University of Washington in Seattle. The programme focused on the theme of civic engagement and participants were selected based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and demonstrated interest in the programme’s theme.”

Ropafadzo said she does a lot of community and volunteer work through Enact Us CUT and the HULT prize.

“I have been working on a project called Infinity Meals that will be addressing food insecurity in low-income households and especially among squatter camps. Volunteers for food items are welcome and those who can help to look for food donations for these families,” she said.

“In September 2023 l received a call from my aunt who advised me on the call for applications which was on the US Embassy Facebook page.

“They were looking for student leaders who were actively involved with their communities to apply for the SUSI 2024 Cohort which would be held from 12 January 2024 to 14 February 2024.”

“As a student leader who does a lot of community and volunteer work through Enact Us CUT and the HULT prize as well as a founder of a charitable organisation that addresses food insecurity, I immediately applied for the programme,” she explained.

Ropafadzo said the application process also required her to send in all her previous results in college as well as her CV amongother documents. A month later after sending in her application, she received an email that said she had been shortlisted for interviews.

“The interview was  very friendly and a few weeks later I was informed that I had done well in the interview and was waiting for final verification from the US Department of State,” she said.

“After what seemed like the longest wait of my life. I got an email that I had been accepted and was given an official invitation letter. Everything else happened so fast and the next thing I was on a plane to the US together with thre other students from Zimbabwe,” she said.

She and the other students were welcomed by staff from the Foundation for International Understanding through Students (FIUTS) who facilitated the programme in Washington Seattle for four weeks.

They were also introduced to the rest of the SUSI cohort which consisted of other student leaders from Botswana, Angola, Mozambique, and South Africa.

The leadership training sessions included site visits and visiting different organisations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

She said the last week of the programme was a study tour to Atlanta, Georgia, where they held meetings at the City of Atlanta and met the commissioner of grants.

“I was very inspired by the commissioner, a strong black woman who embodied the person I wanted to become,” said Ropafadzo.

“Among other places, we also visited the Centre for Civil Rights and the Martin Luther King Centre. The last day of the programme included a final dinner and graduation ceremony which was sadly accompanied by goodbyes and the trip back home.”

“My word of advice to youths in Zimbabwe is to put God first in all that they do and to look past every negative thing that they see around them and take it as a motivation to work hard to change their situations. There are so many amazing things that the world is offering as long as we work hard to achieve it,” she said

“My key takeaway from the SUSI programme is the power of grassroots activism and community mobilisation. Through site visits, volunteer opportunities, and discussions with local leaders, we witnessed first-hand the impact that ordinary individuals can have when they come together to address shared challenges. Whether it’s advocating for environmental protection, promoting gender equality, or combating social injustice, we have seen how small acts of solidarity can ripple outwards, sparking meaningful change,”.

As part of the SUSI programme they were required to implement a community action plan upon returning home and since her arrival, she has been working on a project called Infinity Meals that will be addressing food insecurity among low-income households, especially in squatter camps.