Swaziland: Thulisile Dlamini

Attending the training has empowered me on gender based violence issues and where we can get help when we have  those problems. Meeting other gender based violence survivors and sharing ideas made me  understand that I was not suffering alone. I managed to grasp the necessary skills to grow and manage my business. I have assisted my husband in writing a business plan and he was awarded a loan. I  joined the training in 2014 and attended all the stages of the training. I found everything I the course useful. I never knew how to draw up a business plan and do cash flow. I have learnt all that from the training.

Before the training I was volunteering at AMICAAL and helping out at the local care point. I was a pre- school teacher and  am still a per-school teacher. The town council has linked me with Gender Links who changed my life.  I had experienced gender based violence from my husband.  I am no longer experiencing abuse an am now aware of my rights and I am strong and confident and now able to support my family. I am seen differently in my community in the sense that I am now independent and have more skills to generate income than before. I have not seen changes at a societal level.

I learnt to write a business plan and I will use that to boost my business.I imagine my business taking greater heights and being able to give my children a better future.I wish to improve the pre-school I work at because it lacks all the necessary requirement for teaching.