There are people you meet in life and their essence stays with you for a very long time after the encounter. I simply love Chipampe for the beauty that is within her soul. A woman who live for what she believes in and has answered a call to her purpose against all odds. Please be inspired
Me: Please describe yourself in five words?
Chipampe:
Introvert
Idealist
Daring
Hopeless Romantic
Pioneer
Me: Where were you born and what do you love about your country?
Chipampe: I was born in Zambia in a town called Chingola, I love the fact that nothing is impossible. If you dream it, then you can do it.
Me: Top five books you have read?
Chipampe:
1.Yesterday I Cried (Iyanla Vanzant)
2.Rediscovering Catholicism(Matthew Kelly)
3. The Big Picture (Ben Carson)
4. The Prophet (Khalil Gibran)
5.Who Moved My Cheese
Me: In your experience as a woman on the African continent, what is the significance of women in Africa?
Chipampe: Women are the pioneers, the game changers. You know, I sat
down one day and thought to myself, while all the men were off fighting
wars and working in far off places. The women were the authority,
making rules, running the affairs of more than just their homes, raising
leaders, educating their fellow women. I mean women had to do it all,
so I believe its in our nature as African women to lead, venture into
unchartered territory and turn it into a thriving city. Beyonce was
right..lol, girls really do run the world.
Me: What do you think is the biggest issue facing women in Africa today?
Chipampe: I think as African women the biggest issue we face today
is knowing who we really are, while Westernization has it's perks, it
is threatening to erode our culture and our values. We have so much to
offer, a wealth of information yet we look to the outside to tell us who
we are and yet we are so powerful and it is imperative that we rise
up!
Me What are some of the barriers you have faced in your life?
Chipampe: Finding
my voice has been a challenge as an approval addict, I had an approval
addiction, the unfortunate need to please other people. I battled
depression, suicide and abuse in various forms, all these forces
threatened to overcome me. I didn't know who I was and it was difficult
to live because of it.
Me: How did you overcome them?
Chipampe: Prayer,
God and beautiful women like you, challenged me. Psalm 139 I am made
fearfully and wonderfully changed my life. It made me believe I could be
better and I was worth it. I deserved to be here and I deserved to
speak, live and love. Thank God, his light is so bright you can't see
anything else, how can you not overcome in the presence of such great
beauty.
Me: What keeps you going every day?
Chipampe: The
belief that God has a big, great and beautiful plan for me. It can only
get better. Also, I believe I have been called to be a part of God's
army fighting to prove his existence, to prove that there is goodness in
the world. I am a servant and until I have served i must not give up.
Me: Please tell us more about your academic journey?
Chipampe: I
am fortunate to have been blessed with the privilege of having a good
education. I got my BSc. In Pre-Medical Sciences with an emphasis in
microbiology and a minor in chemistry. I pursued my masters degree for a
year then withdrew because I believe I was not in the right place.
That's that..lol
Me: What advice would you give to women who are struggling to follow their dreams?
Chipampe: To
be honest I still struggle with that. But, trust yourself, listen to
that inner voice, take the first step and the rest is God's business.
Surrender, work hard of course but surrender. If you understand your
purpose, then you're probably aware that all you are is an instrument,
allow the Master to lead you.
Me: Why did you start Beautifully you?
Chipampe: I
started Beautifully You because I realized that so many of us spend our
days waiting for someone to tell us who we are. They tell us how to
dress, what to study, who to become we're on auto-pilot, it's a dark
place to be, you know, to not know who you are. Beautifully You stands
on the belief who you really are is important. Your being here serves a
purpose and ,we work to help each one identify what really makes you
unique and how that serves the world. If you love to dance, dance the
way you move communicates something to the world about the dynamics of
nature. So if you're a dancer, dance, don't sing, dance! Be who,you were
meant to be
Me: What type of fulfilment do you receive from hat Beautifully You?
Chipampe: Knowing that I'm helping people find their voice and discover their purpose it's a beautiful thing.
Me: What is the one lesson you have learnt while growing up?
Chipampe: I've
learnt that only you are responsible for what happens to you. People
will tell you what they think but when you decide the consequences for
those decisions are solely your responsibility. So respect yourself
enough to allow your voice to be loud enough that you can hear it.
Me: Who is your biggest influence?
Chipampe: I
love Oprah Winfrey, she has listened to her voice, found her calling
and used it to change millions of lives. Her courage is inspiring. She
knows exactly who she is, she is not conceited but is herself,
unapologetically and we all benefit from that. For a black woman to
dominate the way she has, gives me great pride and I can stand on the
shoulders of giants like her and dominate too.
Me: What has been the best advise you have ever received?
Chipampe: Walk away from anything or or anyone who doesn't bring peace. Peace is everything
Me: What are the main virtues you live by?
Chipampe: Love is everything. When you love you practice all the virtues so I'm learning to understand love
Me: If people need more information about your projects, where can they get hold of you?
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