Patience’s story

Life has not been easy for Patience. For a time, her husband deserted her and their three children in Zimbabwe and disappeared to South Africa. Her two daughters married young to escape the difficult situation at home: one is already divorced.

In 2024, Patience was offered a place in the sewing skills training programme run by Streams of Hope in Harare, with support from Blythswood. And the eight-month course, completed in November of that year, has transformed Patience’s ability to support herself and her family.
“Patience took her lessons very seriously,” says Stream of Hope director, Stephen Damuputirai. “She came first at the graduation and received a sewing machine donated by a well-wisher.”

Now at the age of 50, Patience runs her own business making dresses, trousers and school uniforms in a small room in Epworth, Harare. “She says she is glad she is no longer a burden on anyone,” Stephen reports. “Her son is in grade 4 and she is glad that he is able to continue at school. Her husband returned and is still drinking but with her own business she does not need to rely on him. She is in a much better place with her life.”

Trace’s story

A widow in her 40s is able to earn an income for herself for the first time in her life, thanks to sewing skills training funded Blythswood. It is a notable achievement for Trace whose life has been dogged by difficulties and setbacks.
As a teenager brought up by a widowed mother, she was unable to complete high school. They had no income to meet the cost of fees. Eventually when Trace married she lost her only child in childbirth. And then her husband, who worked as a caretaker for a better-off family, took ill and died in hospital.

Her husband’s employer allowed her to remain in the tied accommodation in Hatfield and it was there she encountered some uniformed students on their way home from the sewing skills training programme run by Streams of Hope with support from Blythswood.
“Trace was encouraged to approach the matron of our programme,” says Streams of Hope director Stephen Damuputirai. “The training she received with us has changed her life. Now she has her own heavy-duty sewing machine and earns her living by supplying women’s wear and church uniforms.”

Nokutenda’s story

Nokutenda dropped out of school in form two. He had done well to get that far, as he had lost his father when he was only six years old. As the family relied on selling vegetables to earn a living, his mother was unable to meet the costs of keeping the boy in school.

Last year a former trainee told Nokutenda about the sewing skills training programme run by Streams of Hope with support from Blythswood Care. Despite having initial reservations, the 16-year-old enrolled in the eight-month programme. He recognised it could lead to new opportunities and he was eager to acquire skills and improve his circumstances.

“Nokutenda is creative and precise,” says Streams of Hope director Stephen Damuputirai. “The sewing skills programme helped him to develop these talents and he became quite passionate about his work. “When he completed the course, he secured employment as a tailor. This was a significant turning point in his life. Now he is earning a steady income and is able to help his family. He supports a younger sibling who is still in school.”
Nokutenda’s ambition is to buy a heavy-duty sewing machine and set up his own business. “At Streams of Hope we are very grateful for Blythswood’s support,” Stephen says. “You are uplifting the lives of disadvantaged people here in Zimbabwe.”

Susan’s story

A widowed mother in Zimbabwe with four children to care for has set up her own small business after completing a sewing skills training programme supported by Blythswood.

Susan who is 45 faced the additional challenge of a period in hospital but still managed to complete all ten modules in the course and took second prize at the graduation. “She was seriously sick,” says Stephen Damuputirai, director of Streams of Hope, the Harare-based charity which runs the nine-month sewing programme every year. “But Susan is brave and despite these setbacks, she managed to catch up with the other students.”
“Working in a tiny room, she is producing wonders and has established a thriving small business. Her determination and resilience have paid off.”