Building a Future: Patrick’s Journey from Displacement to Professional Excellence
By Blessing Nyathi
Patrick resides in Tongogara Refugee Settlement. Like many displaced people, Patrick arrived at the settlement with limited livelihood opportunities and uncertain prospects for supporting his family. His life took a transformative turn when he was selected to participate in a skills capacitation programme in professional building, funded by Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH), World Vision U.S.A, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Through this programme, Patrick acquired practical and technical construction skills, including bricklaying, house finishing, project costing, and site supervision. Beyond technical competencies, the training strengthened his confidence, professionalism, and ability to compete in both humanitarian and open-market construction opportunities.
“Being selected for the training restored my confidence and gave me practical skills that I could immediately apply. It was more than just learning a trade, it was gaining the ability to shape my own future,” he said.
After completing the training, Patrick began working as a builder within Tongogara Refugee Settlement and surrounding communities. His quality workmanship, reliability, and commitment to excellence quickly earned him recognition. Over time, he expanded his scope of work beyond the settlement and successfully won competitive construction tenders in Harare, where he was contracted to build residential houses an exceptional achievement for a refugee entrepreneur.
“Securing contracts outside the settlement was a major milestone for me. It proved that my skills meet professional standards and that I can compete confidently in the wider construction industry,” he shares.
Patrick’s impact has extended back to his community. He has become one of the most excelling and trusted builders in Tongogara, frequently supporting construction-related activities and mentoring others interested in the trade. Notably, Patrick was contracted to reconstruct houses destroyed by storms under the DRR Emergency Response Programme, funded by World Vision U.S.A, further demonstrating the confidence placed in his skills by implementing partner.
The income Patrick earns from construction work has significantly improved his household’s wellbeing. He is now able to provide food, education, and basic needs for his family with dignity and stability. Most importantly, Patrick is now in a position of self-reliance.
“Today, I am able to provide for my family with dignity and consistency. I no longer rely entirely on assistance, because I have a profession that allows me to stand on my own and plan for the future,” he says.
Even as humanitarian funding phases out, Patrick possesses a sustainable livelihood skill that enables him to continue earning an income independently. His journey illustrates the powerful impact of targeted skills capacitation programmes.
Patrick’s story is a powerful testament to how investing in refugee potential not only transforms individual lives, but also strengthens community resilience and contributes meaningfully to humanitarian response and national development.