"From Bully to Role Model": Lonjezo Finds Calm and Confidence Through She Creates Change

“I used to fight everyone. Now I fight for my future.” — 20-year-old Lonjezo Chikumbe, once the most feared student at Mulomba CDSS, is now admired as a role model after learning resilience and self-control through the She Creates Change project. At one point, the name Lonjezo Chikumbe brought fear at Mulomba Community Day Secondary School in Mulanje.

At 20 years old and in Form 3, he had a reputation for bullying, fighting, and constantly being in trouble. “I didn’t care about rules. I bullied others. I fought with everyone,” he admits. “But deep down, I was angry. I had no school fees, no food, no support. I was hurting.” His struggles with poverty and lack of support often left him humiliated—sent out of class for unpaid fees and looked down upon by peers. Anger became his defense.

But change came through a new kind of classroom. When CRECCOM introduced the She Creates Change project at Mulomba CDSS, Lonjezo joined his peers in watching films under the project. One story struck him most: Yashika’s story, where she used a simple breathing technique—breathe in, breathe out—to control her anger and face life with calm strength.

“That story hit me,” Lonjezo recalls. “I realized I was destroying myself with anger. I told myself, ‘If Yashika can control her emotions, I can too.’” With support from his teacher and CRECCOM-trained Life Skills Facilitators, Lonjezo began applying the techniques he learned during the discussions. He practiced deep breathing whenever he felt provoked, reflected on his behavior during group activities, and embraced resilience as a life skill.

The results have been life changing. Lonjezo has dropped his bullying ways and is now one of the most respected students at Mulomba CDSS. He participates actively in class, helps his peers, and is determined to become an example for other boys. “Now I think before I act. I use breathing to stay calm. I want other students to see that change is possible,” he says with pride.