Liyabona: Most Likely to Believe in Herself

When Liyabona arrived at Themba Training for her first day of barista training, she was a shy young mother trying to find her feet and work out how to build a future for herself and her baby. She wanted to make something of her life, but she was still finding the confidence to believe she could.
During the first week, Liyabona slowly began to open up, taking part in conversations and practical activities. But when it came to serving her first coffees to staff, her nerves took over. Even small pieces of feedback felt overwhelming, and it was difficult for her to separate making a mistake from feeling that she had failed.

The team walked alongside her through those moments, offering patience, reassurance and encouragement. They helped her understand that mistakes are part of learning, and that getting something wrong was not a reason to doubt herself. She was learning a new skill, and she was allowed to take her time.

When Liyabona moved on to job-shadowing at local coffee shops, the change in her was clear. She began speaking up, asking questions and chatting more comfortably with customers and staff. Instead of worrying so much about getting everything right, she started asking for feedback and using it to improve. Her quiet uncertainty began to give way to a more confident, hopeful smile.

Liyabona has gained more than the practical skills needed to make a good cup of coffee. She is beginning to trust her own abilities and recognise that she can learn, grow and create opportunities for herself. As a young mother, that confidence matters not only for her own future, but for the future she hopes to build for her child.

Liyabona’s journey is still unfolding, but she is taking her next steps with something she arrived without: a growing belief in herself and what she can achieve.

 

“Thank you for being patient and encouraging with me. It was hard, but you helped me see that I can do something with my life if I believe in myself and practise.”