“I do not want people to pity me. I want them to see my resilience and believe in what I am capable of achieving.”
For Lilian Lauzi Chibanza, sewing began at home, with nothing more than a needle, thread, and a willingness to create.
As the firstborn in her family, Lilian was accustomed to using her hands and skills to support those around her. She would patch clothes for her son, repair torn garments for her siblings, and stitch by hand whenever she had the opportunity. She had no formal training in tailoring, but she had something just as important: a passion for creating and a desire to learn.
When Lilian joined the Tuungane Youth Voice & Empowerment Project (YVEP), she saw an opportunity to transform that passion into a practical skill and a pathway towards greater independence.
“I have always loved sewing, even when all I could do was stitch by hand. Joining Tuungane gave me the opportunity to learn properly and turn something I already loved into a skill.”
More Than Tailoring
At Tuungane, Lilian’s journey went beyond learning how to sew.
Through the project’s life skills sessions, she gained a deeper understanding of herself, built her confidence, and began to think differently about her future. She also participated in football for mental health, which gave her an opportunity to relax, connect with her peers, and experience the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a team.
These experiences helped Lilian recognize that personal wellbeing, confidence, and technical skills all play a role in building a sustainable future.
Finding Strength in Sisterhood
One of the most meaningful parts of Lilian’s experience has been the community she found among her fellow trainees.
Her facilitator patiently guided her through the different stages of learning, while her peers offered encouragement and support whenever something felt difficult.
There was, in her words, “love, encouragement, peer-to-peer support, and a sense of sisterhood.”
The group learned together, encouraged one another, and celebrated each other’s progress.
As a person living with a disability, being part of an environment where she could participate fully and be recognized for her abilities was especially meaningful. She was not defined by what others might perceive as a limitation. Instead, she was given the opportunity to learn, participate, contribute, and discover her abilities.
From Skills to Opportunity
Today, Lilian can confidently undertake basic tailoring—a skill she did not have before joining Youth Voice.
But her journey did not stop with the training.
Through the linkages and opportunities created within the wider organization, Lilian was connected to further opportunities to advance her economic aspirations. She was subsequently selected to benefit from the NYOTA Fund, an opportunity that will support her as she develops her fashion and design initiative/business.
For Lilian, this represents an important next step: moving from learning a skill to exploring how that skill can become a sustainable livelihood.
The opportunity has given her renewed motivation to continue improving her tailoring skills, develop her fashion and design ideas, and work towards building a business of her own.
A Dream Taking Shape
What began with patching her son’s clothes and repairing garments for her siblings has grown into a much bigger vision.
Lilian dreams of starting her own tailoring shop, continuing to develop her skills, generating an income, and becoming more self-reliant while supporting her family.
The support and linkages she has received through her Youth Voice journey have helped make that dream feel more tangible.
For Lilian, empowerment is not simply about receiving training. It is about having access to the skills, confidence, networks, opportunities, and support needed to take the next step.
A Voice Grounded in Resilience
Lilian’s story is a reminder of what can happen when young people are given space to learn, participate, connect, and discover their potential.
Through tailoring, life skills, football for mental health, peer support, mentorship, and linkages to further opportunities, Lilian has gained more than a vocational skill. She has gained greater confidence in her ability to shape her own future.
Her journey also demonstrates the importance of creating inclusive spaces where young people are seen for their strengths and potential—not their limitations.
And for Lilian, the journey is only beginning.
“Tuungane has helped me turn my passion into a skill. I do not want people to pity me; I want them to see my resilience and believe in what I am capable of achieving.”