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 Care.

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 in November last year.

“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.”