She collects used milk powder, potato chips and all sorts of discarded plastic wrappings and weaves baskets out of them for sale in her community. She used to be a vendor but was unable to make a living from that when her grandchildren became dependent upon her after their parents died in 2010.
Tembo makes up to five baskets a week with the assistance of her two granddaughters and takes home about $120 a month. “The baskets are sold according to their sizes – the biggest costs $10 while the smallest costs $3,” she said. The enterprising grandmother has now entered into a partnership with local schools that help her collect the trash.
The card boxes used for the baskets are supplied for free by shops in Mt Darwin and Bindura. Now the Environmental Management Authority is helping her with marketing of her products, as her business promotes environmental sustainability.
“I have also established a support group comprising ten women who help me in one way or another,” said Tembo.
Education and Publicity Manager for EMA, Steady Kangata, urged communities to come up with innovative ideas to preserve the environment. “Communities should find ways of converting their waste to cash,” he said, while commending Tembo for her innovative business.
Post published in: News