( CNN ) -- She grew up in grinding poverty , losing both her parents at a tender age but 14-year-old whizz-kid Maud Chifamba has defied adversity and hardship to break academic records . Against all odds , the extremely bright teenager has written history as last week she became the youngest ever university student in Zimbabwe -- as well as the whole of southern Africa , according to education officials . Maud , who was born on November 19 , 1997 , has just started her studies toward a Bachelor of Accountancy Honors Degree at the University of Zimbabwe , the country 's oldest and most esteemed educational institution . Her intellectual prowess and hard work have earned her a four-year scholarship of nearly $ 10,000 after she excelled at last year 's Advanced Level exams . Now , one week into her new life at the university , softly-spoken Maud already feels settled . `` I 'm really enjoying it , '' she says with striking modesty . `` It 's better than what I expected . I 'm just enjoying all the lectures . '' Read related : 'The future of Zimbabwe is bright ' But before deservedly claiming a spot inside the university 's vast lecture halls , finding herself amongst much older students , Zimbabwe 's wunderkind had to overcome tremendous financial and social challenges . Born to a poor family in the Hunters resettlement community in Chegutu , central Zimbabwe , Maud lost her father when she was just five years old . Her mother also passed away last year . Her two brothers , who are general workers at a farm , were unable to pay the fees required to keep her at formal school so Maud started studying vigorously at home all by herself . Armed with determination , Maud put all her efforts into studying , embarking on a disciplined reading routine that lasted for several hours each day . `` I studied very hard , '' she remembers . `` For the biggest part of the day and even into the night , '' adds Maud . Maud says the death of her parents made her realize that she would have to take her destiny into her own hands . `` It really motivated me to work harder because there was no one to take care of me except myself in the future , '' says Maud . `` That was ... a motivator for me to have something to do with my life . '' Gifted with natural intelligence , Maud 's promising future was apparent from an early age . Her remarkable aptitude impressed her primary school teachers who decided to move her up from Grade 3 to Grade 6 . Aged nine , she took her final primary school examinations , where she obtained top marks for all of her subjects . Lacking financial support to undertake her high school education , Maud studied on her own and completed her Ordinary Level in just two years after skipping two forms . Read : How 'Afropreneurs ' will shape Africa 's future . Her hard work paid off last December when she scored 12 points at her A-Level exams , an astonishing feat that earned the 14-year-old girl a place at the Harare-based University of Zimbabwe . `` It 's phenomenal , especially if you consider that for her A-Levels she was not in formal school , '' says Gershem Pasi , the commissioner general of the Zimbabwean Revenue Authority , the body that 's now sponsoring Maud 's university education . `` She was just reading by herself at home and her brothers only managed to pay the examination fee . '' Munyaradzi Madambi , dean of students at the University of Zimbabwe , describes Maud as a `` very warm and polite young woman , '' whose intelligence and maturity shines through . `` ( She is ) confident , efficacious and unique in the sense that you do n't normally expect this position among kids from underprivileged backgrounds , '' he says . Madambi says the university is committed to helping its wonder student develop into a balanced individual while fulfilling her dreams . `` We are making sure that she grows up to be a well-moulded , mature adult but of course without really suffocating her or putting her under any pressure , '' he says . Zimbabwe has an adult literacy rate of 92 % , which is one of the highest in Africa , according to UNICEF . Madambi says people in the country have an `` incredible and insatiable appetite for education . '' `` Normally those that come from underprivileged backgrounds , their desire is really to work hard and excel and of course Maud is an exceptional case in terms of intellectual prowess , '' he says . Maud is now on course to conquer even greater heights , becoming Zimbabwe 's youngest ever accountant when she graduates in four years time . `` My dream job is to become an accountant , '' she says . Complete coverage : African Voices .
14-year-old Maud Chifamba has been admitted to the University of Zimbabwe . Maud , who is studying to be an accountant , is the youngest ever student in the country . Unable to pay her school fees , the orphaned girl had to study alone at home . She is being described as `` confident , efficacious and unique ''