Breaking Free: Sekwenele’s Triumph Over Adversity

In Sigcumeni, a community in the Shiselweni region, where life is tough, Sekwenele's story stands out as a tale of hope and determination. Facing challenges of growing up in a community plagued by the prevalence of transactional sex and alarming rates of teenage pregnancies, she refused to surrender her future to the notions of her environment.

Sekwenele, 17, begun her journey with learning about important stuff at sessions held by World Vision Eswatini’s CANGO-funded project dubbed “Halting The Spread Of HIV And Reversing Its Impact In The Swazi Society” in 2023. The sessions, called “Stepping Stone”, talked about the dangers of transactional sex and the importance of prioritizing her well-being. She took this to heart and made a courageous choice to chart her own path, refusing to compromise her dignity for temporary gains.

“We talk about a lot things during these sessions, including the importance of family planning, the dangers of teenage pregnancy and prevention of STIs and HIV/AIDS”, she said.

Sekwenele had always loved gardening, a trait she shares with her father who is also involved in the sector. When she learned about managing money smartly in WORTH classes, also conducted by this project, she saw a chance to turn her passion into something more. She now works hard in her garden, growing spinach, lettuce, and cabbages. People in her community love her fresh produce, and even a nearby supermarket is buying from her.

In her dedication to her garden, she reaps tangible rewards, generating a monthly profit of E1,800 (about 97 USD).  With each harvest from her garden, she not only grows food, but also the ability to take care of herself. Her garden becomes her source of both food and income, transforming her life and giving her the means to meet her basic needs and that of her family's. This financial success not only sustains her but also empowers her to uplift her family and is showing everyone what hard work and determination can achieve. Her garden is a symbol of her resilience and a source of inspiration for others.

But what's even more amazing is how Sekwenele's story has touched the lives of other young girls in her community. They see her success and feel hopeful that they can do great things too. Her courage has sparked a fire of change in her neighborhood, showing everyone that with a little determination and a lot of heart, anything is possible.

As she continues to tend to her garden and dream of becoming a doctor, her story serves as a reminder that even in the toughest times, there is always hope. With a vision for growth, she aims to expand her garden, not just to increase her profits, but to create job opportunities for others in her community.

“I want my garden to grow. Yes, I plan to study medicine, but I will not let go of my garden as well. I want it to expand such that I am capable of employing more people”, she said, her face beaming with joy.

Through her entrepreneurial spirit and compassionate heart, Sekwenele dreams of fostering economic empowerment and lifting others out of hardship.