WV Eswatini Project Helps Young Woman Ensure Her Child Never Goes Hungry

Simphiwe’s life had always been a struggle for her, especially as a single mother trying to provide for her child.Everything began to change when she became part of World Vision Eswatini’s CANGO-funded project dubbed “Halting The Spread Of HIV/AIDS And Reversing Its Impact In The Swazi Society”, which aims to empowervulnerable adolescent girls and young women in local communities through educational and vocational training, as well as entrepreneurial support.

Initially, Simphiwe (24), hailing from Simunye, participated in group sessions, called “Stepping Stones” and “WORTH”, provided by the project in 2023. These sessions aim to help young girls move step by step to change behaviours and to build healthy relationships.

With a newfound sense of purpose, she decided to start offering laundry services to her locals, washing carpets from as little as E50.00 (about $3) to E150.00 (approx. $8). What began as a simple way to earn a living quickly gained traction, most likely because of her first ever poster she had created for her hustle.

“WORTH classes taught me everything! I came back from that training with the greatest zeal to turn my life around. I had also learnt that I could make money with the resources around me,” she says.

Her attention to detail and relentless work ethic earned her a loyal clientele. As word spread about her excellent service, more people sought her out, eager to have their clothes cleaned and cared for by her.

With the money she earns from her laundry service, Simphiwe is able to provide nutritious meals for her child. She also joined a local savings group, something she learned about through the project. Being part of this group was a game-changer for her; she began saving diligently, with a clear goal in mind: to one day open her own laundromat. She envisions a place where locals could get their laundry done efficiently and where she could employ others and share her journey.

“I just bought my first ever washing machine! My next goal is to save for a shipping container that I will use for my laundromat”, she explains, with a sparkle in her eyes.

But Simphiwe’s entrepreneurial spirit is not just based on laundry. Recognising another opportunity in her community, she also offers services as a nail technician. Her ability to combine creativity with precision made her a sought-after nail artist, adding another stream of income to support her little family.

Seeing her potential, the project decided to support her further. They facilitated her attendance of a 6-month vocational training programme where she is learning welding, a skill that is in high demand but has few female practitioners in her area.

She’s actively seeking an internship to gain practical experience and further her expertise in the filed.

Simphiwe’s journey from struggling to make ends meet to becoming a successful entrepreneur is nothing short of remarkable. With the income from her laundry services and nail technician work, she ensures that her child never goes hungry. She is able to create a stable and nurturing environment at home, becoming an inspiration within her community.