From Washing Clothes to Owning Her Own Spa: The Story of Maria Mwalamwaza
Before Maria is originally from Malawi, and she came to South Africa who later passed on leaving here as the only breadwinner for her household, supporting four children. Whenever she looked for work, the only jobs on offer were washing people's clothes and cleaning their houses. It was hard to provide for her children on that kind of income.
The turning point Someone introduced Maria to JRS, and she applied to the livelihoods program. She took a beauty course and specifically learnt massage, skin care and waxing. After graduating in 2025, she received her certificate and became a qualified therapist.
The change As part of the JRS job placement activity, she gained experiential working hours in a reputable spa in the high-end suburb of Sandton. Upon completion of the placement, she continued going there frequently, and she was paid on commission. JRS supported Maria with a start-up kit in the form of a massage bed, which helped her to start a mobile spa. That income let her buy a second bed. She then took the next step and rented her own space, where she now runs her spa.
"It's like my dream come true. I didn't even know that one day I will have my own spa."
In her words,"I do not know how to thank JRS for what you have done to my life."
JRS Accompanying Migrants and Refugees Across Africa
The Jesuit Refugee Service has been walking alongside refugees, migrants, and internally displaced people across Africa for more than four decades. What began in the early 1980s as a response to famine and displacement in Ethiopia has grown into a vast network of hope spanning Eastern, Southern, Western, and Central Africa. From the crowded camps of Kakuma and Dzaleka to urban centres like Johannesburg and Bujumbura, JRS remains present where the need is greatest.
The work is rooted in a simple but profound commitment: to accompany, serve, and advocate for those forced to flee their homes. This means providing education to children who have known only conflict, offering livelihood training to women seeking independence, and creating safe spaces where displaced people can heal and rebuild. It also means listening to what people say they need, as one refugee in the Central African Republic put it, "We want more than just receiving—we want to share our thoughts with you".
In a region where millions remain displaced and humanitarian funding continues to shrink, JRS remains a steadfast presence. The mission continues, one life at a time, across the continent.
To support the work of Jesuits on Migrants and Refugees visit the JRS Website [HERE]
