Bracing herself for a career in nursing

Abongile Ngalo makes bead bracelet for non-profit organisation Relate Bracelets. As much as she enjoys the work she does and the company of her colleagues, her goal is to become a nurse - a dream she has had since she was a child. Margaret Harris spoke to her

What do you do?

I am a bracelet-maker and packer at Relate Bracelets, a not-for-profit social enterprise that makes bracelets to raise money for a range of causes such as the fight against rhino poaching and Reach for a Dream.

The hand-beaded bracelets are made for Relate by men and women who, like myself, want to earn an income and learn new skills, so that they can get their dream jobs one day.

What did you study to do this work and how do your qualifications help you do the work you now do?

I did not study to become a bracelet-maker! This is something I was taught when I started at Relate. My dream was always to become a nurse, but there was no funding to send me to college, so I had to put my dreams on hold and focus on finding any work that could support me and my family.

Relate gave me an opportunity to earn by making bracelets. When I started working here I did not understand what the organisation was about, but now I realise the effect you can have by helping to uplift South African communities as well as helping men and women like myself. Through the skills training opportunities, I have, at last, begun my journey to become a nurse.

Tell me more about the journey you have travelled to get to a point where you can begin studying to be a nurse.

I have faced many challenges in my life.

Before I was a bracelet-maker I was unemployed, and had no hope. I lived in a household of 11 people, with only one of us, my uncle, working. He had to support all of us.

I took care of my grandmother as a little girl and believe that prepared me for my future role as a nurse. It made me realise I could bring hope to others, just as I did for my sick grandmother.

Did you always want to be a nurse?

As a young girl growing up in the Eastern Cape, I always wanted to be a nurse. As I said, taking care of my sick grandmother helped me realise my passion.

I have always wanted to help others - give them hope and support so they can get better and continue with their lives.

What qualities do you need to be a nurse?

You need to be hard-working, dedicated, a good listener and willing to care for other people.

You also have to be strong, because you are dealing with sick people every day.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to follow in your shoes?

Don't give up hope. You must believe in yourself and remember that, no matter what age you are, education is the most important thing. Work hard, stick to your goals and through education, you can be anything you want to be.

What is the hardest part of your job?

It can be hard sometimes because I have to work in the day and then make time for studying at night. But it is something that I am happy to do as it means I will be doing the job that I have always dreamt about.

What do you love most about your job?

I love working with women who are in similar situations to me. We support each other and encourage each other to reach our dreams.

I also love the fact that the bracelets we make help other organisations, such as Reach for a Dream to help sick children achieve their dreams, and the Endangered Wildlife Trust, which helps protect our endangered animals.