Thinking back on her life, she remembers being a 6-year-old girl full of dreams in primary school. One day her English teacher asked her the most difficult question she has ever been asked. “What would like to become one day when you grow up, Hannah?” She stood there, looking up to her with a million things running in her mind simultaneously. Suddenly a smile ran across her face as she remembered her mother talking about aeroplanes and how exciting it was being 30,000 feet up in the sky. Without second guessing she answered her teacher “A Captain” that is what I would like to become, Madam.
Graduating from high school, her dad disapproved of her idea to become a pilot as he knew the expenses involved and being a protective parent, he did not want her to be disappointed.
Late 2016, she saw an aeroplane flying in a beautiful Malawian night sky, right there and then she realised “I already have wings in my heart and soul, all I need to do is to take the leap of faith spread those wings and fly”.
She took action and saved every penny earned from a low-income career and got herself registered into an aviation school. No words can explain the joy and pride in her father eyes as he looked at her whilst staring at her Student Pilot Licence and test Scores. She is looking forward to hold her Private Pilot Licence and ultimately fly an A380 with one of the prestigious airlines. Now she knows even the impossible is made possible when you believe.
- First recipient of the African Section 99s to be awarded the Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship.