Stories of women in Niquiningana

My name is Nobathembu and I am 35 years old. I have a nine year old boy. I had no income and my life was very difficult. Life is not easy when you have no income. My child was suffering because of this.

The Siyaphambili Women's Cooperative will make a big difference in our lives because finally I have the chance to earn an income and in a way that gives me dignity.

I am also the book keeper for the group and it is exciting for me because The Themba Development Project has helped me to learn this new skill. 

  

                                                                                                               My name is Nokwakha and I am 30 years old. I have completed grade 8 but had to drop out due to lack of income. I was raised with my grand mother because my parents died but my grand mother could not afford to help me pay for school. 

I am married and I live with my husband and two children. I was not working and therefore I do not have money to meet our family needs. The Siyaphambili Women's Cooperative will give me the opportunity to ensure that my children will have a better life than I had.

My name is Siphokazi and I am 23 years old. I live in Nqiningana Village with my parents and my two children. I have finished grade 12 but now I am staying home because I do not have money to continue my studies. My parents cannot find work to help me.

I joined the Siyaphambili Women's Cooperative because what I like about this project is that I can make my own cultural beads and learn new skills. The money I earn will help me to support my entire family, and to help me save so I can continue my studies.

It means so much to me that people around the world love our culture and help us to help ourselves by supporting our work.

My name is Nontoithelo and I am 55 years old. I have 6 children. I was not working, and neither was my husband because he is sick. Before I was trying to grow vegetables to sell but it was not enough for us to live. My children are not working either because there are no jobs. Two of my children are very sick and it is difficult because there is no clinic in our village. The way I am living is very difficult.

I decided to join this project so that I can earn an income to help my family. Thank you for supporting us.

Hello, I am Egnes and I am 61 years old. I have four children but my husband has passed away in 1992. One of my children lost his leg and cannot work, and two are still in school. I am suffering with money to pay for their school fees since we had no income.

I join this project as a skilled artist and I enjoy teaching the other women who to create beautiful Xhosa jewelry like the necklace I am wearing. This project helps me to earn an income so my children can continue going to school, and so we have enough food for our family. Thank you for supporting us.

I am Boniswa, 58 years old. I live in Nqiningana Village in South Africa. My husband has passed away and I have one son and four grand children. There is very high unemployment in my country and and no money to start a small business until The Themba Development Project arrived in 2010.

I join this project to support myself and my family. I am also appointed as the quality assurance officer, to make sure that all of our products meet the quality needs of our supporters.

Hello, I am Zukiswa and I am 33 years old. I was born in Nqiningan Village and I have two children, both boys. I graduated from high school and studied to be a home based nurse/care giver but with the high unemployment I have not been able to find work.

I was excited about the Siyaphambili Women's Cooperative because it makes me feel stronger and it gives me a chance to work for a fair wage. It is so nice to know that the items I make will be enjoyed by other people around the world. With each item that people buy they are helping us to rise above the daily struggle of life in South Africa. Thank you to everyone for supporting us.

Hello, my name is Nombuzelo and I live in Nqiningana village. I am 54 years old and my husband has passed away. I have 7 children, 3 of which are in school. The money that my family is currently earning is not nearly enough to make it through the month, especially since 4 of my children cannot find work.

Being a member of the Siyaphambili Women's Coop gives me the chance to be my own boss, I can spend time with the other women and we enjoy talking and sharing ideas with one another. This project gives me hope