Meet Norma, a young vibrant woman born in the dusty ghetto streets of Mabvuku in the year 1994. She grew up in a mono-parental family after her parents separated when she was just a kid. After the separation of her parents, her mother became her only hope. Unfortunately, when she was only 10 years old her mother passed on leaving her under the custodianship of her maternal grandmother.
Norma’s grandmother had a huge task to overcome, taking care of three dependants and putting food on the table was no easy feat. Her grandmother relied on a few piece jobs in and around Mabvuku. The little money she got was not enough to pay for Norma’s school fees thus she had to stay home up to the age of 11 years. Her hope was rekindled when her grandmother had a child to register her at the Mavambo Learning Centre (MLC) an accelerated literacy and numeracy programme.
MLC is a mechanism designed for children like Norma of school going age 8-12 who would have never set foot in school get enrolled in the accelerated learning so that they will be able to be integrated in grades where their peers will be in.
MLC became a special place to her as it provided access to a nutritious meal that her grandmother could not afford. “There was no food at home, so MLC became my happiest place. I even wished we had some boarding facility there so I would stay there forever, “she said.
After a vigorous year, she completed the accelerated learning program, she was integrated at Donnybrook Primary School. Mavambo Orphan Care (MOC) did not end up their support on her rather they paid all her tuition and levies from grade 2 to 7.
Norma couldn’t hide her gratitude for the opportunity she got from MOC.” I should thank MOC for everything, without them who knows I might have been a street kid, “said Norma.
Upon completion of her primary level final year, she proceeded to Mabvuku High for her secondary education. She passed her ordinary-level exams and proceeded to the Advanced level. unfortunately, she could not scoop good grades at this final high school stage. Her true calling was in hairdressing, and she decided to take the leap and turn her passion into a career.
Her one-year tenure as an assistant hairdresser at Hunter shops (a local marketplace in Mabvuku) proved to be a stepping stone, providing her with the essential skills and experience needed to establish her own successful salon. Through a
MOC-facilitated skills workshop, she acquired essential knowledge on financial management and entrepreneurship, which empowered her to make informed decisions about her small business. To assist her in launching her business MOC supported her with a startup kit which included a blower, mirror, electric jug, rollers and perm rods.
In a heartwarming reversal of roles, she is now caring for her grandmother, who is in her late 80s and relies on Norma for daily sustenance and care. Norma is decently earning which she says is enough to take care of the family. “I get roughly US$130 to US$150 monthly in this salon and the money is enough to take us through to the next month, “she concluded with a smile.