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A Stitch in Time: Vocational Training is Weaving Hope for Single Mothers

Amidst the struggles of displacement at Dzaleka Refugee Camp and economic hardship in Dowa district as a whole, two women are threading needles of hope into the fabric of their lives. Furaha Mulasi, a 37-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Veronica Yasui, a 27-year-old Malawian from Dowa, are single mothers determined to secure a better future for their children. Both have turned to vocational training at There is Hope (TIH), to stitch together a brighter future for themselves and their children.

Furaha Mulasi arrived at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in 2016, fleeing conflict in her homeland. Life in the camp has been a daily struggle. With five children to feed and no stable income, she relies on rations from humanitarian agencies, which are barely enough to sustain her family.

“Feeding my children and providing for their basic needs is not easy,” Furaha shares, tears streaming down her face. “I feel like I’ve let them down for all these years.”

For Furaha, enrolling in Tailoring and Fashion Design, TFD, course at There is Hope is more than just an opportunity to learn a skill – it is a chance to rewrite her story.

“I want to be financially stable and support my household,” she says.

Her vision is to establish her own design and tailoring shop, selling clothes and Ankara fabrics to uplift her family and others in her community.

“I want to change my fortunes and provide a good future for my children,” she adds, her voice filled with determination.

Veronica Yasui’s journey has been equally fraught with hardship. A single mother of three, Veronica was once married for eight years, but the marriage was marked by struggle.

“Life has not been a bed of roses,” she reflects. “My children went through a tough time during those years.”

After her separation, Veronica moved in with her elderly parents, who are too old and frail to work. Her father, once a provider through piecework, can no longer sustain the family. Determined to break the cycle of poverty, Veronica chose vocational training to gain financial independence.

“I want to be empowered so I can support my children and my parents,” she says. Her dream is to open a tailoring shop, complete with sewing machines and a retail section for fabrics and clothes.

“I want to train other girls so they can escape life’s hardships,” Veronica explains, her eyes lighting up with hope.

Returning to school as mothers was no easy decision for either woman. Both Furaha and Veronica found a haven at There is Hope, and are particularly excited about the newly constructed nursing shelter on campus.

“I know my baby will be well taken care of once I start bringing her here,” Veronica says.

Her youngest child, barely a year old, serves as a daily reminder of why she must succeed.

“At the moment, I leave her at home with my elderly mother, but I know it’s a burden to her, and I feel uncomfortable leaving a breastfeeding baby all day at home while I am here. The nursing shelter is a welcome idea,” Veronica shares.

Furaha, meanwhile, leaves her five children – ranging from 2 to 14 years old – in the care of her eldest child while she attends classes.

“It makes me uncomfortable to overburden my oldest child,” she admits.

The nursing shelter, set to open soon, will allow her to bring her younger children to school, easing her worries and ensuring they are cared for while she learns.

“I cannot wait for the nursing shelter to be operational because I want to be able to take care of the young ones myself and not overburden the oldest child,” Furaha says.

She is grateful to There is Hope for the initiative and urges other institutions to emulate TIH in creating a welcoming environment for young mothers intending to go back to school.

The Skill Up Project, funded by Welthungerhilfe Malawi, has been instrumental in creating a conducive environment for women like Furaha and Veronica to enrol for vocational skills training. In addition to the nursing shelter, the project has constructed an incinerator for the safe disposal of sanitary wear and provides scholarships, work suits, and boarding facilities for vulnerable girls.

For Veronica, the training has already begun to yield results.

“Within a month, I’ve learned basic tailoring skills,” she says with pride.

Furaha, too, has found solace and support at the school.

“The environment is welcoming, and I’ve blended well with everyone,” she says.“The teachers and fellow students have encouraged me so much.” 

Despite the odds, Furaha and Veronica are determined to create a better life for their children and inspire others in their communities.

As Furaha puts it, I want to change my fortunes and provide a good future for my children.”

Veronica echoes this sentiment, adding, “I want to train other girls so they can escape life’s hardships.”

Through their courage and the support of There is Hope, these two mothers are not just stitching clothes – they are weaving a tapestry of hope, one stitch at a time.