For many years, Margaret (pseudonym) from GVH Mpando, Gotha Estate, in Thyolo, lived in constant fear. Her husband, consumed by anger and jealousy, subjected her to regular beatings, leaving her bruised and broken. “He used to beat me even while I was naked. I would faint from the pain,” Margaret recalls, the weight of her past still evident in her voice.
Along with the physical abuse, there were emotional wounds—every time she tried to confront him about his infidelity, he would lash out with cruel words, making her feel worthless. “He would accuse me of being unfaithful and call me names,” she remembers.
The abuse took its toll not only on Margaret but also on her children, who grew up in an environment of fear and instability. “My children were not healthy, and there was always tension in our home,” she says. Despite her attempts to seek help from her husband’s family and even the Chief, nothing changed. “I went to his parents and the Chief, but they did nothing. The abuse continued,” Margaret says.
It wasn’t until she was introduced to the Tiyambe Project that she began to see a way out. The project’s focus on gender equality and healthy relationships changed her perspective. “When I attended the drama sessions organized by the project, I realized that things did not have to be this way. I could stand up for myself,” She explains.
As she learned more from the project, Margaret gained the courage to confront her situation. She and her husband attended the Tiyambe performances together, and this exposure led to a shift in his behavior. “After we saw the drama, he started to change. The messages about respect and fairness got to him,” Margaret shares.
With her husband’s attitude transformed and her self-worth restored, Subject now leads a life filled with peace and purpose. “Today, everything is different,” she says. “My children are happy, my business is thriving, and my relationship with my husband is much better.” Subject’s story is a testament to the power of education and awareness in transforming lives. “If you are going through abuse, do not be afraid to seek help,” she advises other women. “There is a way out, and you deserve to live a happy, peaceful life.”
Thanks to the Tiyambe Project, Margaret was able to escape the cycle of abuse, reclaim her happiness, and build a future of hope for herself and her family.
