For Sophie, only the sky is the limit

Dar es Salaam. Sophie Mbeyela is a living proof that disability is not inability. Despite facing numerous challenges while growing up due to her short frame, and walking on clutches, she managed to achieve her dreams. She is now a secondary school teacher in Dar es Salaam, and a successful entrepreneur. She also started a charity movement to reach out to needy children. Madam Sophie went to Salvation Army School in Kurasini, Dar es Salaam for her primary education. She then joined Jangwani Girls Secondary School.

In 2010 she was selected to join Dakawa High School in Morogoro and thereafter went to St John’s University (Dar es Salaam Campus) for her Bachelor of Education degree.

Being the last born in her family, Sophie didn’t take advantage of using her siblings to get what she wanted and instead she worked hard to achieve her dreams.

Because, she can’t reach the blackboard, her students voluntarily take turns to write notes for her.

Sophie has come to let the society know that there is nothing wrong with having a disability. She believes that a bit of empowerment and acceptance of people with disabilities will go along way in making Tanzania a better place for everyone.

“So, life is normal as the whole society at the school does care about me and of course they love me. I really appreciate their generosity, which to a great extent makes my life at work easier. I thank the school administration for this. They also don’t make me teach classes which are upstairs. So, Form Four students were shifted to the ground floor for easy access,” she says.

And that is not all, she has also ventured into business and runs a restaurant in Ubungo.

Madam Sophie involves herself in charity work too. She credits this to her mother who taught her to always give to the needy. She is normally invited to give motivational speeches to different women’s and orphans’ groups where she also mobilises donations to support the groups.