Dr. Taida Mapara was accepted to study Medicine at the University of Malawi at age 14 after scoring 15 points in June 2020 A Level Cambridge examinations with three As in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics at Hilbright Science College, Zimbabwe.
Unlike many teens who struggle to decide what they want to be in life, Taida knows exactly what she wants to be a Cardiologist.
It took her only eight years to finish primary and high school, compared to the standard 13 years in Zimbabwe.
She is the first born in her family followed by her twin sisters who share the same mental capabilities as her.
Her mother discovered that she was a genius when she home-schooled her.
In 2012, her parents enrolled her at Maranatha Junior School. After a week of schooling, Taida was skipped to grade two because she was so intelligent and a fast learner.
In 2016, her family relocated to Ghana for work, she was home-schooled for a year by a very good Ghanaian teacher.
In August 2017, she started learning at Association International School in Accra, Ghana and completed forms two to four at this school.
After writing the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams in 2019, her family moved back to Zimbabwe.
In September 2019, she started attending Hilbright Science College in Harare, Zimbabwe. After nine months, she was able to write A-Level exams.
In June 2020, she scored 15 points in the A Level Cambridge examinations with three As in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics.
She is currently studying a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Malawi’s College of Medicine.
Taida’s parents are Ernest, an IT engineer, and Debra, who works as a primary school teacher.
Dr Taida Mapara’s Quotes:
“I was accepted and enrolled at the University of Malawi College of Medicine when I was 14. The University of Malawi College of Medicine assured my parents that, despite my age, I would be in good hands.”
“I started on-campus university study when I was 15 years old. The delay of almost a year was due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Everyone says medicine is very hard but that made me want to study it even more. If there are people out there who were able to get through it, then why can’t 1?
In the world, there is a shortage of doctors so the least I can do is to become one.”
“In high school, I loved learning about the heart. The heart still fascinates me now and the more I learn about it, the more my interest grows. I chose cardiology because I would love to work in a specialty that focuses on the heart; I feel like it would make being a doctor even more interesting and spectacular.”
source: Woman Power Africa
