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Never say die

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A 40-year-old user, whose husband left her and their five children to fend for themselves, shares how she clawed her way back and started her own business.

Algamdulilah (all praise is due to God), I consider myself very fortunate today. Nine years ago my husband left (divorced) me with five children. It was a very traumatic experience for me.

I had never worked a day in my life prior to that, I was always a housewife and mother. My main concern was my kids, and they gave me a reason to find work.

And I did; at the same time I started selling from home: clothing, shoes, anything I could afford. Sometimes I would just have R100 and I'd buy small items to sell.

I started work as an admin clerk, not much pay but with the help of God I could feed my kids. Over six years I changed jobs five times.

In 2009 I met my new husband, a most wonderful, kind and loving person. We were married for three months when I was involved in a horrific car accident in 2010. I have had to undergo three operations and a knee replacement since then, and unfortunately have been left with a disability.

All through this, my husband cared for me and my children.

Today, Algamdulillah I'm at peace with what has happened.  I will never have a normal job and for a while I was left hopeless and depressed.

After two years of ops and therapy, I finally decided to start selling again. I started my home shop called Designer Cuts. I organised my first market in March of this year, followed by two more, Algamdulilah. And I will continue organising markets.

I don’t often tell my story but I'm sharing this because there are so many women out there who are going through bad times and divorce, and I know how they feel.

Don't ever give up no matter what life throws at you, catch it and use it as a foundation to make your life better.

 - Fin24

* This is a Fin24 user submission. Add your voice to our Women's Wealth Issue and help empower others this Women's Month.

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