Khumi Morare – A Story of Hope

 

When Khumi Morare came to the Living Hope Health Centre in 2006, she was critically ill from the HIV virus. Alone in Cape Town, she had no one to turn to for herself and her twin babies. Slowly but surely she was nursed back to health but faced a bleak future with no job and no income. Once she heard that a sewing class run by Evangeline Ministries had started at Living Hope, she enrolled in what was the first class. As she became stronger she proved to be a fast learner and her children were all the motivation she needed. Unable to care for them, they were placed in foster care and Khumi determined to get them back.

The African animal tote print bags were her way to do that. By the time she left the Health Care Centre she was able to show the social worker she earned enough to take care of her boy and girl. She purchased and furnished a shack and with help from friends began her new life with her kids. Because of her determination, discipline and dependability, Khumi supervises the making of these bags. The sewing class and the tote bags gave Khumi hope where before she had none.


Having attended Living Way’s entrepreneurial training course, Khumi was empowered to be the distributor in the bag making business. Through a process of micro-loans, Khumi and seven other graduates of the sewing classes formed their own micro-businesses. These businesses operated on a weekly cycle – buying material from Khumi and selling finished products back to her. Each week, the men and women grew their business money and are able to develop capital for future jobs.

Amazingly, Khumi paid back her R6000 ($750) loan in eight weeks. In fact, all seamstresses’ micro-loans were paid back and an additional three seamstresses  joined the programme.

Khumi’s health, however, took a turn for the worse in 2009.  She spent a long period of time in the Living Hope Health Care Centre.  The business slowly wound down, waiting for her to recover sufficiently to move the business forward.  The virus, however, was too strong and Khumi passed away in early 2010.  We miss her dearly but are strengthened by the fact that she knew Jesus and was ready to meet Him.  Her journey has shown us how to bring hope when it seems that there is nothing to give.

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