“It has moulded me into a better person”: An unexpected journey of growth with Well-being and Development
Sharon spent years struggling with both precarious employment and health concerns. Her determination to improve her situation led her to Scalabrini’s Wellbeing and Development Programme (WDP) – and set her off on an unexpected path of self-development, and “moulding” the person that she is today.
Two countries
Life in Zimbabwe has long been marked by political and economic instability. In 2008, Zimbabwe’s inflation rate reached 231 million percent! “You get paid your monthly salary and by the time you drew your money, it had already lost its value,” Sharon explains. She recalls it as a time of political instability and violence in Zimbabwe. “Things were just bad.”
In 2009, Sharon and her husband decided to join family already living in South Africa. “When I arrived in Johannesburg, it was the first time that I realised; when they were sending us food and clothes back in Zimbabwe, they were sacrificing a lot for us.”
Before Sharon moved to South Africa, she would hear stories that made living here “sound like heaven”. Once here, she realised it was quite different. “Not in a bad way”, she says, “I just thought life was easy here, but it was not what I expected it to be.”
A change in direction
Then, they moved to Cape Town and things seemed to improve. Over the years, Sharon worked in hospitality and began building a life in Cape Town. But in 2020, the pandemic changed everything. “I never struggled with work in Cape Town…then Covid happened.” Sharon lost her job and suddenly her mental health started to deteriorate too.
In 2022, things started to shift. Sharon was feeling stronger, and she had just welcomed her second child. She decided it was time to go back to work, but this time, she wanted to start her own business.
This led Sharon to Scalabrini. She was hoping to get immediate financial assistance to start her business, which she did not. But what she found instead was something far more valuable: the space and support to truly grow.
Finding her place
At Scalabrini, Sharon was encouraged to join WPD’s Women’s Platform, starting with open workshops, and later completing Personal Development and Sector Skills Training in childcare.
At first, she felt that she did not “fit in”. “They [the women] were so smart and dressed well. I felt like I didn’t belong there.” But hearing the women’s life stories changed this. “Personal Development helped me learn about who I am.” On reflection, Sharon realised, “if I had just been given financial assistance and left, I would not be who I am now. “Women’s Platform has moulded me into a better person.”
One of the most impactful moments for Sharon came during a Convo Club session on resilience. “Life is going to challenge you, but it’s okay, you stand up and fight again! That is what made me stronger…I have a lot ahead of me and I can face anything.”
Following Personal Development, Sharon joined Sector Skills Training, specifically training in childcare. Although she hasn’t yet used the childcare training professionally, gaining that knowledge was an important step in continuing to build her confidence and broaden her skills. “No one can take my knowledge away from me!”
A brighter future
Today, Sharon has launched her own small business selling yoghurt and raisins. She continues to stay connected with the Women’s Platform network and is exploring new opportunities – like a side business selling fresh meat sourced through another Women’s Platform member.
“I don’t struggle anymore, and I keep myself busy”, she says. “I’m not quite where I want to be yet… but I’ve learned that no matter how slow the process might look, the future is bright.”
