Sponsored by support organisations including the Female Prisoner Trust (FEMPRIST), she now engages in several income generating projects.
She is a cross-border trader and owns a flea market in the Ardbennie suburb of Harare. In addition, she has developed a flourishing vegetable and firewood sales market.
“When I was released from prison in January 2013, I had to start from scratch. With no-one to care-take my property while I was serving my sentence, most of what I owned had been destroyed. This was disheartening, but I knew life had to move on and I capitalised on some of the skills that I learned during my detention to embark on income generating projects,” said Tsedemu.
“After having received financial support from well-wishers such as FEMPRIST, Vavambi and the Methodist Church, I started cross-border trading. I have also set up a vegetable market and I sell firewood. With the money I earn from these projects, I am able to live a decent life.”
As well as providing for the needs of her own children, this enterprising woman also supports seven of her brother’s children for whom she pays school fees. She also cares for her mother who lives in Domboshawa.
Diligence pays off
“These are great achievements for me especially after having spent time behind bars,” said Tsedemu, adding proudly that she is currently renting a five-roomed house for which she pays $300 a month.
Hard work and determination are qualities that have greatly contributed to Tsedemu’s ongoing success story. Her day begins very early each morning when she buys vegetables from Mbare Musika.
“After that, I hire trucks to ferry firewood to my market place, where I spend the rest of the day selling the items I have purchased. I earn from $30 to $50 per day, and my goal this year is to buy my own car, which I would use to transport my goods for sale,” she said. This enterprising woman also has plans to venture into the poultry market, having been taught chicken rearing at prison.
Tsedemu has words of encouragement for other women. “I would like to urge other women out there to be industrious and embark on projects that would enhance their status rather than wait for their husbands to provide them with everything. As women, we should stand up and be counted because we have the potential to do many things provided we harness our strength and resolve to prosper in life,” she said.
Support for ex-prisoners
FEMPRIST Director, Rita Nyamupinga, said income generating projects were the key to a new life for ex-prisoners. “FEMPRIST emphasises the importance of developing self-sustaining businesses.
We give financial assistance to these women enabling them to start to earn a living after coming out of prison.
“Our aim is to support as many women as possible and we have seen the lives of many former prisoners changed for the better after we provide them with the financial means to engage developing profitable enterprises,” said Nyamupinga.
Post published in: Analysis