Megaton, tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
My name is Megaton Ruramayi Kuhudzai. I was born a Shona by tribe in Zimbabwe on February 17th 1982. I was fortunate to go to school all the way to university. However, the country’s political and economic turmoil caught up with me and I couldn’t finish my studies at the University of Zimbabwe. I emigrated to Malawi but my lack of a solid tertiary qualification severely affected my job prospects.
What was your experience of Alison before volunteering to translate? Had you studied with Alison before?
One fortunate day as I searched on Google for free or affordable education, Alison came up. I went through the testimonials and I sang my way through my studies. I studied all night through, as if working on a cure. My first diploma was Project Management. Oh, how I leapt with joy! Next was Operations Management, then Business and Entrepreneurship. I also took the ABC IT certificate, and Microsoft Literacy. Finally I had some qualifications I could show around. Alison introduced me to online learning and I have since been accepted by the University of the People because I attached my Alison qualifications.
How did you learn that Alison was looking for translators for its coronavirus course?
The Alison team got in touch with me via email about the offer to translate. I welcomed the opportunity to translate the coronavirus course because Alison has been the giant on whose shoulders I have stood tall.
Why is it important that everyone has access to important information on coronavirus?
Alison is on a global mission fighting ignorance. Educational and physical health are one and the same to Alison so they took up the fight to save people from dying. It’s important that everyone be disabused of misinformation regarding the disease because myths have always been a hindrance.
Tell us a little about your method when translating.
I translated the coronavirus course with the aid of Google Translate for speed. I then worked out the errors inherent in the translation to the best of my ability as a native Shona speaker.
Why is free learning so important and why is it important to translate it into many languages?
Free learning is a revelation for our times of tumbling economies and rising poverty. Tertiary education has become largely unaffordable and those who get education loans struggle to pay them back. Free learning is the solution to those that want to overcome a lack of skills and ignorance and transform their lives.
Have you been learning through Alison during the pandemic? How has the lockdown been for you?
Fortunately, I am studying during the lockdown and have told my friends in Malawi about Alison. They have since studied different courses.
What would you say to people who might be interested in translating for Alison?
I encourage those who might be interested in translating for Alison to show their love for others in a most profound way by making more coronavirus course translations available. I believe in the greatness of philanthropy and for now my resources are intellectual.
If you’d like to play your part in overcoming the coronavirus pandemic by helping Alison give people access to the information necessary to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, please get in touch.
