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 gave him gave 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.”