“Food for the family and payment of schools fees are the most pressing challenges for us. It is only with the amazing grace of God that I have managed to complete my O levels and keep the family intact,” she said in a recent interview.
In Bulawayo, many orphaned and child-headed families sharing Nyoni’s predicament were not receiving any meaningful social assistance or training in entrepreneurship skills, either from government or from non-government organisations – until the formation of Vanavevhu Trust in January 2010.
The Trust provides psycho-social support and develops functional literacy and vocational skills for participants. It was founded by Elizabeth Mhangami, who quit her lucrative job and comfortable life in the United States, where she and her family had been living since 1999.
Always hungry
“While still in the USA, I assigned a friend of mine to commission a feasibility study on the status of child-headed families in Bulawayo. The outcome clearly revealed that these children were neglected and forgotten. What also glaringly emerged was that most of these youths missed out on various youth programmes because they were always busy trying to fend for their families” said Mhangami, who is a gender activist and a Rotarian.
She started fund raising for the Trust in Chicago, where she was based. With the assistance of the Chicago Rotary and other organisations, she had been actively involved in securing and shipping scarce medical supplies to public health institutions in Bulawayo for some time.
Since its inception, Vanavevhu Trust has supported child-headed households through self- sufficiency programmes in some of the city’s poorest high density suburbs. These are designed to give the beneficiaries opportunities to acquire essential life skills through a mix of basic and technical training.
Skills
“Our programmes are designed to provide resources such as food, education and health care that a parent would have provided. We are dedicated to the financial self–sufficiency of child-headed families and the development of at-risk youths by providing training and job opportunities,” explained Mhangami.
The Trust runs a successful training centre in Douglasdale on the outskirts of Bulawayo where the youths undergo a three-year intensive course under tutored by qualified and experienced personnel.
“When the youths speak about their experiences as child-heads of households, food is their major concern. Every one of our participants has described going several days every week with no food” said Mhangami.
Because of the severe food shortages which the youths face, the organisation includes food security in all its programmes. The students are taught skills in Permaculture farming, which includes composting, building a rainwater catchment system, and learning how to grow food organically. They are also taught how to build and run small bucket irrigation schemes and make and service drip irrigation kits for a small fee.
The farming techniques taught include methods of harvesting heirloom seeds and how to make value-added products from the excess vegetables they harvest.
Resilience plot
At the end of the course, the youths graduate with a “resilience plot”. This is a small home garden which ensures that they will be able to feed themselves and their siblings and sell excess vegetables or any value-added products to their neighbours. They are also able to sell their expertise to others in the community.
The centre also trains participants in mushroom production, beehive keeping and beeswax candle-making.
In order to hone the youths’ job readiness and entrepreneurial skills, the Trust in partnership with the youths has formed a co-operative named V2 Enterprises. This cottage industry makes candles, does apiculture and permaculture.
“Vanavenhu graduates buy shares in the company. All proceeds are shared equally and the surplus is re-invested into the programme. This arrangement gives the participants the opportunity to get hands-on job experience,” explained Mhangami.
“Although economically things are still very difficult in the country, I am now able to take care of my siblings thanks to Vanavenhu’s courses. I am able to make and sell candles and other products such as lip balms,” said Nyoni.
Shrinking funding
Gugulethu Moyo, 20, paid tribute to the organisation for changing her life and that of her dependents. “Since my parents passed away, I have been taking care of my three siblings and grandmother through vending. My family had been a laughing stock in my neighbourhood but I am happy that I have acquired various skills that have improved my life and the lives of my family members,” said Moyo, who is now an employee of V2 Enterprises.
Brighton Ncube, from Sizinda, has also benefited. “I am now one of the staff members at the centre. I teach other students in mushroom production and permaculture. With the skills I have acquired here, I am hoping to start my own business one day,” he said.
Currently the centre is home to 13 boys and 12 girls. Mhangami, who has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies, said she was worried by the increasing number of girl students who are dropping out due to pregnancy. She also expressed concern about shrinking funding from partners. The Trust relies on private donations to finance its operations.
Post published in: News