How spinal TB led former teacher Pauline Morare to rediscover healing through crochet
After spinal TB robbed her of her mobility and memory, former teacher Pauline Morare rediscovered a childhood skill that became part of her healing journey.
Tsakani – Pauline Morare (65) is transforming a skill she learned in childhood into a source of healing, creativity and hope.
Morare is an educator, musician and preacher, whose journey has been marked by perseverance and faith.
She dedicated over 30 years of her life to teaching, but years of illness affected her health, prompting her to take a break from teaching in 2009.
After spending six years away from the classroom, she returned to work in 2015, but her health deteriorated once again.
Between 2015 and 2016, she was diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis (TB), a rare disease that eventually forced her into retirement. She described that period as one of the most difficult chapters of her life.
“I lost my strength, my ability to walk and even my memory. I could not sit up, embrace life or do much for myself. I felt like I was losing the opportunity to enjoy life with my family,” she said.
The disease left her bedridden and dependent on others for basic tasks. In addition to severe pain, Morare said spinal TB triggered debilitating migraine attacks and affected her memory to the point where she struggled to remember names and complete sentences.
“Crocheting became part of my therapy because I could not recall people’s names and could not even complete sentences, especially when I was preaching from the pulpit,” she said.
While recovering, Morare recalled feeling cold one day and asking her husband to accompany her to buy crochet materials so she could make herself a blanket.
The simple request rekindled memories of her childhood and the creative environment she grew up in.
Her mother was a seamstress who owned several sewing machines and made a variety of items from different fabrics.
She passed her skills on to her children and often involved them in her work.
“During big orders or projects, we were obligated to assist my mother. I could cut fabric and sew it together into something beautiful,” she said.
Making the blanket reminded Morare of the skills she had acquired as a child and sparked a renewed passion for crochet.
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She honed her craft through lessons and online tutorials and eventually began making handmade garments and decorative pieces.
Morare believes crochet can benefit people dealing with memory loss and cognitive challenges by stimulating the mind and keeping it active.
Born with dreams of pursuing technical studies, Morare said financial constraints and family responsibilities prevented her from following that path.
Her father also did not believe that a girl child deserved a good education.
She was pushed to work as a domestic worker with her mother during school holidays and on Saturdays at a young age.
“It was painful because I was laughed at, and I really wanted to attend school during that period too.
“My mother’s employees at the time had faith in me. They wrote me a cheque and urged me to further my studies. That was a transformative act within my life,” she cited.
Morare found herself pursuing a career in teaching after seeking guidance through prayer. Without formally applying, she was accepted into teacher training and went on to serve as an educator for more than three decades.
Despite the many setbacks she faced, Morare said faith sustained her throughout her journey. She attributes her complete recovery to what she believes was God’s healing touch.
“In a dream, I saw myself singing with members of my youth movement, and one of the pastors asked me to lead a song.
“Suddenly, I saw a huge object, like a chandelier; it transported me towards Pholosong Hospital, and I started preaching,” she recalled.
“My husband woke me up and helped me to the bathroom.
“At first, I thought it was only a dream, but what amazed me later was that I could leave my house without crutches. That is when I realised that God had healed me.”
Today, Morare uses digital platforms to make her crochet creations and advocates for skills development and entrepreneurship.
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“If you can take two hours to learn a skill, do it. We need to create opportunities for ourselves and support one another,” she added.
She hopes to grow her crochet venture into a fully fledged store and create opportunities for others through collaboration and skills development.
She wants to later offer sewing and crocheting classes, saying she needs sponsorship and support to make that dream a reality.
“I am in need of machines, materials, data and digital platforms that can help us advance designs and other aspects of our work.
“I also need working space where we can store our work, brainstorm and network as creatives,” she mentioned.
She urges sponsors, stakeholders and community members to help her reach as many entrepreneurs as possible.
Morare explained that skills such as crocheting can help people make an income, unleash their creativity, expand their knowledge and provide continuous learning opportunities.
Looking back on her journey from educator to entrepreneur, Morare remains grateful and optimistic.
“Nothing can stand before you if you have faith. Whatever challenges come your way, stand up again and keep going,” she concluded.
