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.”

Resplendent in her own handiwork, Patience sits at her sewing machine.