My name is Patience Nxumalo, I am a brave girl. This title suits me best because when I look over my life, I see a girl who had to be brave, in many areas of her life in order to get to where I am today. I am the Visionary and a founder of The Brave Girl Initiative. I am more courageous today than I was 15 years ago. I am that girl, that is for girls, women, ladies, chicas. I enjoy educating young girls, through mentoring, teachings and literally spending time with them. When I was a child, I learned about what a purpose is. I wanted one so bad, and I wanted to know which one was mine. I was told, it was just something God given, and something you feel passionate about. I read my bible and saw so many people who had all kinds of purposes. I always, thought a living a purpose filled life, you had to be a pastor, a missionary, a Paul, a Moses, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, a teacher, but one day as I was reading my bible, I just saw it, I actually saw it and felt it…I am an encourager, a motivator filled with compassion and love for others, especially girls, women and children. And with that I searched out how I can encourage and be a blessing to others.

It wasn’t until I was homeless, sitting on an OC Transport Bench in Canada that the Lord started leading me to a journey towards my purpose. How I ended up there, was only through lack of knowledge about finances and support. I called a friend to ask if I can stay at her house, and she came immediately to pick me up and set me up in her basement, that was filled with boxes, a washing machine and no bed except cushions from an old sofa that I turned into a bed. After a few weeks of feeling sorry for myself, asking how I got here at the age of 24, I decided to go to the library and read. I read and read and read. But there was just one book that completely changed my life. Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza. Her story was one set in the grueling times of the genocide in Rwanda. And when she overcame all she did, I knew I could too. She was the very second Brave Girl I knew. The first was myself…but that time in life, I just didn’t know it.

After being able to reenroll back to college I switched my major from Mass Communications (I wanted to be the next Oprah lol) to Psychology with a double minor in Business Management and Family Science. From that time on, God and I worked to ensure that I knew who I was and who I was meant to be in this world, for His kingdom and His people.

I enjoying working with people, giving them information I wish I had growing up in order for them to make the right decisions. I love to help those in need, and knowledge is definitely power. I noticed upon returning home to Eswatini that a lot of girls especially in the rural areas, do not have the right information, resources, or mentorship available for them to get support, ask questions in order to make good decisions for their lives. And that is how The Brave Girl Initiative was born. We held our first conference in 2022, where we tackled breast cancer, a relationship with God, self-defense and how to achieve your dreams in spite of your circumstances. I am privileged to be doing this work and I hope to be mentoring and motivating girls all over Eswatini for a long time to come. We can change the outcome of many girls in underprivileged communities through mentorship and education outside of school. The afterschool programs, mini conferences, which we do, are helping with this and The Brave Girl Initiative is more than ready to continue with this challenge.

For more information or to support please us, please email me on patience@thebravegirlinitiative.org or message us on Facebook @ facebook.com/bravegirlinit or follow and DM us on Instagram @bravegirl_init                                                           

Growing up I had a lot of dreams, I was determined to achieve every single one them too. In the past it all seemed possible, I had imagined myself meeting Prince Charming and living in a Castle, I guess we can all blame Disney for that. Fast forward years later, I am a teenager in high school and now my dreams were based on fame, money and all that seemed cool. I started dancing and at some point even thought I could be the next Missy Elliot. It was until I was in my final year in high school that I was truly passionate about something and the dream of being a philanthropist was introduced. A female teacher greatly motivated me to follow my dreams and even told me to write a book but still I wasn’t too sure if that was my purpose. Being a doctor, lawyer or pursuing any of those sophisticated profession was what seemed right.

Now you know that even if you are not sure about something, life is still moving and you have to try and catch up or else you will feel hopeless and worthless. I had imagined myself doing journalism or law but fate had other plans and I found myself doing Education. As an introverted child, it felt like I was thrown into a pack of wolves and there was no way out. I remember I use to travel a 2 hour drive every weekend just because I felt lost, I mean this was the last place I had imagined myself being at. Eventually I grew a pair and I started making friends who have since become family. My time in college, helped me gain self-confidence and got to really uncover what I inspire to be.

Three years later, I obtained my diploma in Education and God being great I got a job. For months, still trying to fit in I eventually got a hang of it but still it was not fulfilling. I started jotting down ideas on how I can do more for the children I was always with. I then started an afterschool program for young girls which sometimes included boys. Talking to the girls, getting to experience life through their eyes was an eye opener. I wanted to do more than just talk to them, the ideas were to enhance self-confidence, self-actualization and self-worth. At some point I was thinking of establishing my very own organization which was crazy.

The brave girl initiative found me at a place where I thought I knew what I wanted to do in life but man the talks and empowerment I have experienced has made me realize how broad this life thing is like. Each and every event and memories shared, reminds me that I can still be all I had imagined myself being. The fact that it is all embodied in Christ is worth all the late nights I spend dreaming about where I see this organization going. Being part of Brave Girl Initiative is my dream, it makes me feel my best knowing I get to empower young girls. It allows me to be the guidance, consultant I needed when I was also their age. I desire for all of the girls in the world to understand that each and every stage is worth it, I personally wanted to jump a few levels just so I could be where I am right now. Now I understand that for me to get to where I am right now is because of all the experiences, losses, and wins I have been through. So now I am created to be great, called to inspire and Chosen to serve all my fellow girls.

I became a teen mom while doing my form 4. I was 17. It was not the plan. But as they have said many times before, it only takes one time.

I come for a very poor background. We lived in a stick and mud house growing up. And when it rained we were not allowed to move about in the house because the roof could come down at any moment and crush us. So it was best to stay sitting when the rains poured. My mom is an Albino so for some reason she could never really find work. And I think that crippled her confidence. I didn’t like how we lived at home. And going to school I was an insecure person. My friends would come and tell me about parties they attended and how these men who we referred to as “bo Daddy” would buy them gifts and throw money at them. I mean E1000 to give to a school child was nothing to them. Well one day I went to one of those parties and I met this 45 year old soldier. He immediately started flashing his money around. He bought me food, clothes and pads…I always struggled during that time of the month because I couldn’t even afford a pad. But now I was getting everything. And of course as the story goes…nothing for mahala. He wanted sex and I needed to have the things so I slept with him. And I got pregnant. He didn’t want to know and take care of the child. And he later told me he was married. I was devastated. My friends kept pushing me to have an abortion. But I couldn’t. This child had done nothing wrong. It was me. I couldn’t accept my situation. I couldn’t seek help from the proper channels in order to help change it. But I was young. What did I know? I also didn’t have a mentor. It’s only now that I’m realizing having a mentor and a role model…someone to look up to, someone who is filled with the right values and morals really helps to shape your life.

I struggled with my baby. At the time they allowed us to go to school even while we were pregnant. And I did but it was trying mentally and physically. I would get up and prepare for me and my child and have to find someone help watch my child and then come home try to do homework and take care of my child at the same time. I hustled. I would go to Durban and collect bales of clothes to sell. And those situations are hard because you sleep on the street waiting for the bus to Eswatini or waiting to be the first one in the shop to get the best bales. I washed myself in the toilet and at night you feared you would get raped because you literally sleeping on the street. But I had to do what I had to do for my child to eat and go to daycare while I tried for a better life for us.

I felt I disappointed my family. I mean the times they thought I was in church praising God, they didn’t know I was out there with a 45 year old messing up my life. I felt I hurt my mom and my brothers and myself. I can’t change what has been but now thanks to the Brave Girl Initiative I use my voice to tell other young boys and girls that…you can wait. You are worth it. Be okay with your home situation not matter how hard it is. Trust God. Hustle for your family and believe in yourself. You are worth it. Don’t do something that will affect your dreams and make it harder to get to them. There’s a reason why we are young people. Let’s be young and go to school and have fun but wait. Wait until you are married. Find positive hobbies. And honestly keep your head in the books

It’s been so hard in my life. So much has happened. I have been mentored for the last few years by my Brave Girl mentor and at times I’ve gone against her advice. And to be honest it didn’t work out to well when I did. But what I appreciate about the brave girl initiative mentors is they don’t pretend to know it all and they love you and support you even when you so called mess up again and again. But I think I’ve finally got it right. I was in an abusive relationship and then I left and moved in to a great place and then I got into another relationship which was emotionally abusive and then it turned physical. I thought I was in love and I thought this time it won’t happen, I mean twice in a person’s life…like no way. And my mentors lessons on relationships and abuse and signs and things to look out for helped me so much, but I think because I secluded myself when I got into this relationship I didn’t check in as much with my mentor which didn’t help. From both abusive relationships I got a child. Which wasn’t easy. But now life is good. The Brave Girl Initiative put me in their Give-Love program to receive help to get on my feet, even after everything. I got my own one room, and I’m searching for work and also hustling, selling clothes and my own crotched creations on the side. So I’m excited for the future now. There is peace in my life, and I thank God for The Brave Girl Initiative and their support.

I was alone and hurting. It was a very rough time in my life when The Brave Girl Initiative came into my life. I messaged the founder to ask if I can help the girls do art, because sometimes when you are down, its good not to think about yourself so much but to help others. So I requested to help other girls. I didn’t realize that I would be getting the help and love I longed for. We went to Sigcaweni the first time I met them and during that trip we were like sisters. I felt so comfortable that I shared about my life. And they encouraged me to keep on trying. The encouraged me to work hard for my son. It was just me and him. I had him when I was really young and troubled. I went to a women’s shelter for help with substance issues and I found help there. But outside was a bit lonely after some time. I love that The Brave Girl Initiative doesn’t take long to love on people they meet and help them when they can. I got so much motivation for all the mentors. The best part was when I graduated from preschool teachers training they came. I didn’t have anyone who could come and celebrate me but they came. They were so proud of me, and I loved that feeling. My story is one about going from feeling alone, and not remembered to loved and wanted. I’m happy The Brave Girl Initiative exists for girls like me.