Lindile Makume – South Africa

I met Gender Links through a workshop doing “I” Stories. It was such an eye opening experience. All my pain came back as if it happened yesterday. After that, I felt much better; I actually felt good about myself. The next Thursday, I went back to the same group of women I was in the workshop with, and I told them about Gender Links. We were inspired to come together and do something; that is how we started a recycling business. We had all been trained in Information Technology, and entrepreneurship. This helped us strengthen our business. We put together a business plan, and we continued working with Gender Links to see how it could be improved.

At the time, we didn’t know that by developing a business plan with Gender Links, we would be where we are today. We have our own business. We are still struggling, but we are surviving. The training was effective, because all of us had the strength to start to empower ourselves, and start developing our business.

Gender Links helped me deal with abuse in my life. I had never been to counseling before, but through the Gender Links workshop, I have been dealing with my experiences by talking to other women, and realizing that I am not the only one. I have made a lot of friends, and we all share information. I have never before talked about my abuse with anyone, but now I have stopped doubting myself. I am confident now. I am so proud, to see the pain I have gone through, and what I can do now.

In my family, I didn’t show emotions, or communicated the problems I had. I couldn’t leave my kids for a minute; I learned to trust, and be a in a position to trust my children without being overly protective. I am so grateful for the opportunity that has been given to us. I can see how it has changed me and my friends. It’s helping me stand on my own. Thank you, Gender Links!