STEM inspires publication of book titled ‘Unsung Heroes’
MANZINI - A niche in the education space on access to information to career paths in STEM has inspired the publication of a book titled ‘Unsung Heroes’.
This was revealed by author %ongekile Matsenjwa during the launch of her book held at the $merican Spaces situated at Man]ini 1ational /ibrary on :ednes day. µUnsung +eroes’ is a book with different stories of STEM professionals in the country who have defied all odds to venture in the engineering field.
$ccording to the author it took her two years to write the book. Matsenjwa said the success of the book would not have been possible without the contributors.
Contributions
She appreciated the STEM profession als who were present to witness their contributions in making an impact in the country. She expressed her excitement that the project had finally materialised. Sharing her story Matsenjwa said she never imagined that she would one day be an author. ³%ut the moment I saw that there is a niche in the education space where many young people in primary and high school were asking about information on engineering careers I then realised that there’s something that we can do ´ Matsenjwa said.
The author mentioned that the work she did with :omEng offered her an opportunity to interact with STEM professionals.
She highlighted that while growing up she was exposed to career guidance but it was not detailed enough. Matsenjwa shared that her family encouraged her to become a doctor but she was aware that she did not wish to do that. She stated that the challenge was still there in the education space.
1onetheless the author mentioned that fortunately she got the opportunity to have access to university students who were doing engineering at that time.
Contents
³That opened my mind to the world of chemical engineering. :hile interacting with them they made me realise my dream ´ she said. Explaining the contents of the book Matsenjwa said µUnsung +eroes’ attempts to educate about the different careers in STEM but using personal stories. She said personal stories were effective in education especially to young children because they could easily relate.
³The book talks about what inspired these professionals to take on their profession their challenges how they overcame and why there should be more young people taking the same path ´ she said.
Meanwhile she shared that she had no idea what the title of the book would be. :hile compiling the stories she said she met one of the professionals who shared how she gave up a course she was pursuing and pursued the career she wanted amid financial challenges. It was then that the title µUnsung +eroes’ came up according to Matsenjwa.
³I often see a hero as the person who went to space for the first time. Or the person who killed many people but it’s the people who make a difference in every day life and impact the lives of others. They might not have made a huge impact that can be published on the newspaper or broadcasted on &11 but they made an impact ´ she Tuipped.
Matsenjwa said those professionals should be celebrated. She said their jour neys were different but they persevered so that there could be a role model for the next generation.
³My dream is to see the book distribut ed in primary schools and high schools to motivate the pupils to dream big because for Eswatini to become the )irst :orld country that we aspire to be it will be through individual contributions of STEM professions.
Support
³$s you read this book may you be inspired ´ she said.
US Embassy 3ublic $ffairs Officer Stephanie Sandoval said there was no better time to launch the book than the day on which it was launched as it sought to empower young women in STEM fields. She said the US was be hind the support of STEM professionals.
SE'&O &EO .hethiwe Mhlanga said STEM represented decent work and provided flexible career development. She said there was a need for investing in education as this would lead to higher economic growth. She said in the STEM industry she understood that it meant increased productive capacities and that this would make the country globally competitive. The &EO appreciated Mat senjwa for writing the book as this was also a way of giving STEM professionals their flowers while they were still alive.