Ilizwe Empowerment began with a gathering of nine residents of Molly Blackburn, an informal settlement in Nomathamsanqa, South Africa. That first day in 2015, the residents shared their hopes: a nursery school for Molly children, brick and mortar homes, clean water, electricity, enough food to feed their families, and a decent-paying job. Those dreams, however, hinged on financial freedom, so we introduced a crafting initiative. The residents started small, with simple bracelets, but then they taught themselves how to make crocheted hats, and then Molly’s Dollies, and then beaded greeting cards, devices to air-dry lingerie, dresses, scarves, and more intricate bracelets. With each new skill, confidence grew, and they began to see themselves as capable in new ways. The next steps were first to settle upon a name, Ilizwe, which means land in Xhosa, symbolizing a shared purpose on this small Earth, and second to register as an official organization. With the support of the Mayibuye Ndlovu Development Trust and SMTAX, that dream came to fruition in early 2019. From an idea to experimentation to hard work, the women have learned that change can happen. Ilizwe is now responsible for its own procurement of supplies and projects, a sign of independence and the importance of ownership and vision.