HOM: Consollator Khabo

Welcome back to another week's Human of Matebeleland post! I hope you're enjoying meeting these folks as much as I'm enjoying hearing bits of their stories. This week I'm sharing Consollator's responses. Before I give you her interview answers, I just want to share a bit of her story as she told it to me, as I think it shows her strength and courage, and that when you see her smile, you will know that she is smiling in spite of the challenges of life.

Consollator Khabo, age 29

Consollator's basic timeline goes like this: Her mom became pregnant with her early in high school and she was sent to live with her granny from birth until age 8, when her grandmother died. From there, she lived with several different relatives, until age 14 when she went to stay with an aunt and uncle on her mom's side. They cared for her and got her through her O-levels (about 16 years old) up to the age of 20, but it wasn't easy there. When she was 17, she was interested in finding her biological father, but her biological mother told her to "live as if you have no mother and no father." However, Consollator contacted some cousins and they put her in touch with her biological father. He was married and had other children.

At age 21, Consollator moved in with her father, step mom, and half siblings. She decided to go in with an attitude of respect and acceptability, and show that to her step mom, and her step mom reciprocated. Her step mom was aware that there was a "child outside," from her husband's life prior to marriage, and so there wasn't a shock when Consollator came to join the family household.

When I asked about her biological mom as well as how life is at her dad's house, these were Consollator's thoughts: We talk, my biological mom and I, but rarely. I’ve learned to accept her as my mom, but previously it was hard. But it was very hard the things I pushed through, but I had to learn to accept her. In my dad’s family there is peace, love, and unity, that’s what I’ve found.

Wow. What a deep background, with so many hard turns and transitions, but I also see a major story of redemption being written! To have found her father, be welcomed into her father and step mother's home, and to feel peace, love, and unity, that is no small story! So, with this knowledge of Consollator's story, I hope you enjoy her responses and her smile all the more!

What is something about you that surprises people?

That I’m 29 years old. They actually say, “Ah, seriously!? And you’re not married! But you look 15 years younger!” The other thing, they wonder how I’m surviving without eating meat, it is one of the things that surprises people.

Consollator is on Agricultural Attachment at Ebenezer from Esigodini Agricultural College

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the last year?

Actually, I’ve learned about sharing. I grew up with my aunt and someone who doesn’t have a heart of sharing. So I’ve learned even if you have a little thing, you share. You enjoy the food more when you share. Also to be open with other people, especially with your parents. Because they are the closest people that can help you. Don’t bottle things inside.

What is something you’re working hard towards?

Just to be self-employed. I just want to do my own business. That’s what I’m working hard to look after, to get a piece of land and grow things, especially horticulture. Even though doing poultry is fine, but I’m most looking forward to have all the horticulture crops and marketing them.

What’s the most joyful part of your days?

I like to counsel people, having one on one discussion helping in different areas. If someone comes with a challenge I will be happy to solve that. Especially working with these young people, it’s very interesting, you know what hard things they are facing, so I like to talk to them about their life.

What’s the most challenging part of your days?

Maybe I’d say to do the most difficult of the manual work, like if I spend the whole day digging. Or being pushed around. I like to doing things in my own time and using my own ideas. If I have a situation where someone shouts at me, it will be the most difficult day of my life! That’s why I don’t use harsh words with people. They remind me of my past.

Consollator, with the Dairy in the background

What is something that you’d like people to know about Zimbabwe?

Even though we are suffering, having economical challenges, we do have peace. It’s a peaceful country and there are many resources this side- there is gold, diamonds, even the soil itself is very fertile. So if you find some land it will help you to have your own life. It’s a Christian country, most of them have learned to trust in God and they know who God is. Zimbabweans are risk takers, they are willing to try a business and to try another one, since it is hard to [find] employ[ment] here. So you have to try different things.

Who has been an influential person in your life?

My dad. He is the most influential. He is someone if you sit down with him, he tells you about life and life itself. He doesn’t have a topic to say or to hide, he just talks anything. Usually he gives us ways of how you are supposed to live, giving us life experiences. He shares the challenges he’s gone through and is willing to be open and share so that we can go through those challenges easier. He wants to see his children somewhere else, somewhere ahead in the future. And my step mom, she greets him at the gate, asks him how was work, how was your day, they carry things for each other. Actually, they are the ones that make me want to get married.

What is the most courageous thing you’ve done?

There was a time when my aunt told me I wasn’t going to finish form 4. She said, "Your mom didn’t finish, she just got pregnant, no one in your family has finished Form 4." But I decided to carry on. So when I switched from accounting to agriculture, my mom also told me I wouldn’t finish. That I wouldn’t make it. So the fact that God told me He is always by my side, I just want to show that I can finish this course and that I’m going to graduate, I’ll see myself in a gown! To be able to say I have excelled.

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Ahh, what fantastic responses, and good insight into this lovely lady's life! Consollator, thank you so much for sharing. I pray you do finish your agricultural course, you are very close to graduation!

Friends, thank you for reading. Have a great rest of your week!

Growing in Courage,

Mackenzie