When Cynthia was a student, Zimbabwe's economy was so bleak that her own mother encouraged her to find a better life abroad. But when she found herself in a detention centre in Botswana, Cynthia realized that it was not time to run away - it was time to become politically engaged. Ever since, she's voted. And, now a mother herself, the 27 year old living in Harare says she's prepared to queue as long as it takes to cast her next ballot.

In the run-up to Zimbabwe's elections, scheduled to take place on 31 July, we're bringing you the personal stories of what voting means to everyday Zimbabweans. Each edition of My Vote Zimbabwe features one person's story in his or her own words. There's no presenter, no interviewer - nothing to get in the way of people's most memorable moments at the ballot box.