As a single mother, she had no idea how she was going to support herself and her baby. She tried farming, but found it fruitless due to erratic rainfall and drought. She feared for the future.
Fortunately, this sad chapter of her life is now a thing of the past. Mavhoro and many other struggling women were offered a life-line thanks to the Environmental Management Agency who aided them into embarking on an agriculture project located in a wetland with perennial water for their crops.
Located in Shurugwi’s Ward 1, Chitora, within the Tongogara Rural District Council area, the project has a two-fold benefit. It encourages preservation of the wetland environment and provides a means of survival for over 64 households led by women and the elderly. Orphans and other vulnerable people are now also part of the venture.
Beacon of hope
The Chitora Wetland Scheme was initially funded to the tune of $49,000 by the United Nations Development Programme under its ‘small grants projects’ in conjunction with the Shurugwi Partners, a local NGO. Technical know-how was provided by EMA officials. The UNDP grant helped the women to acquire diverse farming skills, to erect a perimeter fence around the 19 hectare land and to cover other expenses. When this reporter visited the scheme, it was evident that the initiative has become a beacon of hope for scores of women united by their previous economic hardships. The area was a hive of activity with lush crops of carrots, butter-nuts, okra, cabbages, potatoes and tomatoes, among others, ready for harvesting. A joy to behold!
Mavhoro, who was inspecting the crops with her healthy, bouncing baby in her arms, said she had risen from a life marred by hopelessness to an era full of success and peace of mind.
Like a queen
“I had given up on life due to the hardships I faced, but all that has changed. The monetary proceeds I derive from the sale of my crops are enough to allow me live like a queen,” she said.
Gogo Nyevera Mugumba,81, revealed that since joining the project eight months ago, she has been able to fulfil her heart’s desire of taking care of her disabled grandchild who needs special care that she could not afford before. “It is real empowerment,” she said.
“Life is even easier because officials from Shurugwi Partners secured ready markets for us. We supply our crops to a catering company called Servco which was contracted by Unki Mines and to several supermarkets in Gweru like Spar, OK, True Fresh, Value Chain and TM,” said Wanzirai Mutikani another project beneficiary. Mutikani showed her book-keeping records that indicate that her regular sales exceed $600 at any given time.
Lifeline for elderly
Rodha Mazorodze, 63, added that the project has become a lifeline for elderly women who find it very difficult to make ends meet. In the wake of the HIV pandemic that claims the lives of mainly younger people, many people of advanced age now have nobody to depend on.
Highly pregnant Slyvia Rusvanhaira, 28, pointed out that she will not rely on her husband to support their unborn child like most women in the community as “she will be able to do it alone” from the earnings of the project.
“Even some men in the community now respect us because we can do what they can do. Besides providing nutritious food for our families, we now have the money to pay for the expenses of sending our children to school and buying pleasantries,” said Portia Rutanhira.
Being the younger sister of the late liberation icon Josiah Tongogara, Plaxedes explained that before the women joined hands to work on the scheme, they were languishing in abject poverty.
Home-grown
“The good part of this scheme is that it is home-grown and owned by us, the women. Everyone has a sense of ownership and that inspires hard-work and good yields. The women are sure of the future because the proceeds are permanent, different from temporary hand-outs from government or NGOs,” she said.
Shurugwi’s EMA district officer Kangara Severino emphasised that the women’s project is even more successful than it appears.
“The most important aspect is that they are protecting the wetland and ensuring that it is not degraded or destroyed by animals or unscrupulous people. They are also promoting bio-diversity, which means that small organisms can survive in the wetland together with trees and grass and be protected from disturbances like veld fires. As a result, people will benefit from the natural medicines that can be harvested from the plants.
Link to markets
“The women are not using artificial fertilisers, but solely relying on organic manure which is good for the environment. We applaud the women as environmentalists,” he said.
Pascal Manyakaidze, the Shurugwi Partners Director, said his NGO will keep on supporting the women and ensure that their livelihoods improve.
“We helped to set up the project by securing funding for capital investments. We also linked the women to several markets and our hope is that, in future, this project can be broadened so that more women come on board and have their lives transformed,” he said.
Post published in: Gender Equality