This was a wonderful moment that changed my life forever. Not only did i graduate, i also scooped a runner up prize…

The Mobile Community Zimbabwe Graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony was a boom. I witnessed true heroes and heroines receiving their certificates amidst different challenges that people went through. The reasons I talk about heroism is because in order for a participant to graduate, there was need to meet basic requirements. This needed someone with self-motivation, courage, determination among other human qualities that enable one to succeed. During the mentorship process, trainees were supposed to produce twelve stories within three months but this was not easy. Amidst challenges such as sourcing for interviewees, internet and costs most participants managed to pull through because of determination. Since I was one of the participants, I had to prioritise my work because I wanted to graduate.

I learned that in order to succeed to graduation, I had to keep encouraging myself to do more stories per week in order to at least meet the deadlines. Deciding to give up was not a difficult decision but I guess most participants understood that this was a life time opportunity which could not be taken for granted. The graduation day was worth remembering as we shared moments with different icons such as Nada Josimovic from Free Press Unlimited, Privilege Musvanhiri (MCZ Trainer and Mentor) Natasha Msonza ( Co Trainer), Joseph Munda (Mentor) and Her Zimbabwe Director Fungai Machirori.

Around seventy participants were trained in the Mobile Community Zimbabwe Project and among these, fifty- three people received certificates. What also caught my eye were the awards. Ten individuals walked away with prizes from different categories including the Best Video, Audio and Radio program, Best Student Audio and Video story, Best Institution and the  Encouragement Prize.
AWARD WINNERS
1. Winner Best Mobile Video Story- Ketty Nyoni
Runner Up Prize for Best Video Story- Kenneth Matimaire
2. Winner Best Mobile Audio Story- Theophilus Chuma
Runner Up Prize for Best Mobile Audio Story- Sharon Sigauke
3. Winner Best Mobile Radio Program- Sydney Mangweka
Runner Up Prize Best Mobile Radio Program- Believe Marufu
4. Best Student Mobile Video Story- Bathabile Dlamini
Best Student Mobile Audio Story- Hazel Marimbiza

5. Best Community Radio Initiative- Kumakomo Community Radio- Mutare
6. Best Performing Institution- Midlands State University
7. Encouragement Prize- Theresa Takapfuma

Now that the graduation has come and gone, participants should arise and become giants in producing content from their communities. Producing content should not end with graduation but it should be the beginning of a better story making journey using different applications.