I can’t see but I can sew. She’s stitching a future in a country where 80% of disabled people are unemployed

“Just because I can’t see, it doesn’t mean I can’t sew,” Busisiwe Nxumalo says. Partially sighted and born without the use of her legs, Nxumalo struggled to find work. But she was determined to make ends meet. The harsh overlap of the disabled community with those living in poverty is a painful reality in South Africa, and the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is approximately 80%. However, with the help of the KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society, Nxumalo is stitching together a new future.

“As a differently-abled person, my employment options were limited,” Nxumalo says. The KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society is one of the most valuable resources for people to gain assistance, providing not only rehabilitative and development services but upliftment. When Nxumalo joined, she received lessons in braille, sign language, and sewing, and has since become a proficient seamstress. Through her employment she has been able to care for herself and her family, and also volunteers her services in sign language. 

“My job makes me feel strong and empowered,” Nxumalo says. Overcoming the societal limitations placed on people with disabilities, she is inspiring others who are going through similar struggles. Through donations, more people can benefit from greater social aid from the society. “We’re like a community,” Nxumalo says. With her needle and thread in hand, she’s proving her unlimited talent.