Better by design

By anyone’s imagination, Patience Ngembe Kajingae Chiyesu has packed a lot into her 25 years. From helping children with HIV to running a small business from her Pokeno home, there’s no stopping this indefatigable woman. She spoke to ANGELA KEMP. Patience has a stall at The Red Shed Market, Drury where you’ll find her on the first two Sundays of the month; she says her goal is to see her homewares sold in furnishing stores across the country.

The first thing you notice about Patience is her smile which can brighten the dullest day. Since moving to Pokeno in 2019, she feels she has a lot to smile about, not least the success of her homewares business launched in the midst of last year’s lockdown.

It’s the latest in the line of events which have helped shape Patience’s positive outlook on life.

She first arrived in New Zealand aged two after her parents fled the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Home was in Mission Bay and her father Joseph Ngembe, who worked as a chef, was the president of the small New Zealand Congolese community.

Sadly, Joseph passed away in 2001 but not before he had cooked at

functions attended by then Prime Minister, Helen Clarke.

Patience’s mother eventually remarried and the family, including Patience, her sister and brother, moved to Brisbane when she was 10.

At the age of 15, Patience was sent to school in Ghana to learn about her African heritage.

“I had never experienced living in Africa so my parents wanted me to go there and study while I lived with an aunt.”

In Ghana she became part of the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) and was awarded best female delegate. As a result, she travelled to New York for two months representing Africa in the General Assembly and attending a local school.

Patience returned to Australia to finish sixth form (Year 12) before attending university to study journalism for two years.

“I liked it but didn’t enjoy it and ended up dropping out,” says Patience. “I then decided to go back to Ghana and started a charity organisation, Selfless Servanthood, working with orphans and kids with HIV. In all, I brought together a team of about 50 volunteers who we contacted through WhatsApp.

“We travelled round the country doing things such as cleaning up a building, cooking food and handing it out at random places. We visited schools and orphanages and taught them how to wash their hands correctly and to be hygienic. We once spent a day at the foster home of 80 children who were all HIV positive ; we just played with them.”

Patience returned to New Zealand two years ago after marrying Desmond Kajinga, a surgical nurse

Patience

Desmond

at Manukau Super Clinic. They met on Facebook through mutual family and friends.

Desmond, originally from Ghana, met up with his bride-to-be when Patience returned to New Zealand on holiday. Love blossomed and they were wed in Brisbane in 2019 before making their home in Pokeno.

“Desmond was living in Pukekohe and we decided to have a drive round the area,” says Patience. “I had always wanted to come back to New Zealand, it’s more me and there are no snakes!”

The Bombay Hills proved to be an irresistible drawcard and the obvious place for the couple to set up home together.

“We got out for a walk and I just fell in love with the place. I’m really obsessed with mountains and I love the fact it’s a suburb within the mountains.”

As well as being a registered nurse, Desmond is in demand as a model and actor and is signed to the prestigious Red 11 Agency. Standing more than six feet tall and with handsome features it’s easy to see why he’s popular.

Since he featured on a Rebel Sports’ Christmas advertisement, Patience says people recognise him in the street. Desmond also appears on the I Love Ugly website and is soon to be part of Hallenstein’s next marketing campaign.

Homewares interest aside, Patience is studying psychology and counselling at the Auckland University of Technology as well as working in the AA Business Centre.

But, her real passion is running her business, Pasyance, through which she sells her homewares featuring contemporary African designs.

“Our African fabrics bring so much life to colour, I want everyone to see how beautiful they are,” she enthuses.

The colours and patterns are the anti-thesis of the on trend ‘all black’ (or all neutrals!) home décor style. The Pasyance range includes cushions, bedding, aprons and lampshades, all made by Patience.

“I use traditional Ankara wax fabric from Nigeria including fabrics which have royal meaning and are normally worn by royalty for ceremonial celebrations.”

Excited to soon be taking delivery of rolls of her own fabric designs she adds: “My first collection has been inspired by the day to day life of people back home in Africa, such as the man on the street corner who sells corn for the elephants.

“I like to work with people in Africa because over there it’s really hard for them to find jobs that pay well. When I send money over I know I am helping a lot of families.

“Now, we also have a community of women who are making baskets for us in Ghana.”

Pasyance is partnered with AusCongo Network (ACN), set up to reduce poverty in the Democratic Republic of Congo by renewing and restoring local economies. It also works to reduce poverty amongst Congolese communities in Australia by building skills and capacities.

Patience has a stall at The Red Shed Market, Drury where you’ll find her on the first two Sundays of the month; she says her goal is to see her homewares sold in furnishing stores across the country.