These women of Zimbabwe share a common story of grief, pain and struggle. Their husbands went away to find work to support the family – at least that’s how it started. They didn’t hear anything or receive any money. They wonder if they swam across the Zambezi River and got taken by a crock, or may be locked up in another country as an illegal immigrant. However, the reality is often more painful in this all-too-common story. The men have escaped the grinding poverty, the daily struggle to provide for their growing families, the shame of not being able to provide…they move away for work with promises to send money back, but they don’t. Too often they start a new life and have a new family in another place, leaving the women to bring up the children, and often grandchildren.
This is where our partner offers a ray of hope, identifying women-led families where the mother has the desire and potential to learn, has dreams of how she can improve life for her children and is willing to embark on the journey of business and life-skills training to lift herself and her children out of poverty.
The beauty of this program, which has evolved over the nine years Entrust has supported this partner organisation, lies in its recognition that one size does not fit all. Not every woman wants to be trained in hairdressing, tailoring, or poultry farming. Each has unique talents, passions, and aspirations for herself and her family. This two-year project empowers women to identify their strengths, conduct research, develop a business plan, secure a micro-loan for startup costs, and receive ongoing mentorship as they launch their new business. The diversity and ingenuity of the women we met was truly inspiring.
Meet the women filled with unwavering determination.
Resivo, mother of three children, and Sabina, mother of one, formed a partnership to source and sell stationery supplies for schools and businesses. They purchase products from another country where prices are lower than in Zimbabwe, paying truck drivers to transport the goods back to their community. There, they operate as wholesalers, supplying other small business owners. Their strategy focuses on buying in bulk and selling at competitive prices, allowing them to undercut competitors and move stock quickly.
Ayasi, who has four children, completed business training, secured a $200 loan, and established her own shop, which she painted and set up herself. She sells new clothing and small household items at her store, aptly named “Everlight Shop”—a reflection of both her business and her personal journey. Once a Muslim, Ayasi encountered Jesus through her relationships and journey with our partner team, transforming her life and filling her with renewed hope for the future. She has since become a mentor in the program, visiting and supporting other women as they build their own businesses.
Norma, a mother of three, has always had a passion for cooking. She runs a hot chips and sausages stand in a market area within her community. In just three months, her business has been thriving, with the enticing aroma of freshly cooked chips serving as an irresistible advertisement.
Monica recognised a need and demand in her community for more meat. She used to sell tomatoes to support her five children but after her business training and kick start loan, she has been buying $1 hatchling chickens, raising them for 8 weeks and then selling them for $6 each. She’s also secured a restaurant wanting to buy her chickens and is looking to supply the local school for special event catering. Her profit from the business has meant she can pay school fees and feed her children regularly. She’s also managed to negotiate, when cash is tight, to trade chickens to the school in lieu of school fees.
So many women, trapped in the cycle of grinding poverty, hold hopes and dreams for their families. With a little support, they have the determination to work hard, dream big, and build successful businesses. Their achievements not only fill them with pride but also pave the way for a better future for their children. Through connections with other women in the program, they foster supportive relationships and lasting friendships, ensuring they never have to navigate this journey alone.
This 2-year training program is now in its third cycle, with past participants stepping into mentoring roles. Hundreds of families have been positively impacted, and entire communities are being transformed. The economic uplift is felt throughout the area, and hope is thriving in really hard places.
