Dr Julieth Gudo: From dusty, humble beginnings to the world
Julieth Gudo, 31, holds a Phd, but her journey to attain success has been nothing short of hardship filled with obstacles.
Due to her extremely difficult upbringing in Zimbabwe, Dr Julieth Gudo was unable to continue her schooling after finishing grade seven when her parents passed away. Dr Gudo also lost her paternal grandmother, who had taken on the role of guardian when she was a youngster. A dedicated Dr Gudo made the decision to leave home rather than continue to face the severe socio-economic challenges and impending child marriage.
Together with other people, Dr Gudo made a the trip to South Africa in search of better opportunities. However, they lacked the necessary documentation, so they made their way through the borders and across the crocodile-infested Limpopo River. This is a trip that is forever engrained in the memory of Dr Gudo, as she thought she was going to lose her life on that day.
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Dr Gudo was rescued by a truck driver after being taken in at a refugee center for women in Musina, South Africa, in which she resided for eight years. The facility was funded and supported by the United Nations, UNICEF, Save the Children UK, IOM, Doctors Without Borders, and the Red Cross.
At the age of 22 , with funding from UNICEF, Dr Gudo was afforded the opportunity to study again. She has never looked back since and proceeded to obtain her LLB degree at the University of Venda. She then completed her masters and PHD degrees at the University of Cape Town.
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Dr Gudo`s advice to helping those in needs is: "If one cannot help a needy child, free him or her so that the next person can assist them. Secondly, homeless children or orphans should not be hesitant to stay in refugee centres, orphanages and homes where they can pick themselves up and improve their lives."
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