Meet the Unbreakable Youth Self-Help Group based in Ward 16 of Zwanazi Village, Lupane. The six member group comprises of three females and three males who have come together to engage in cement brick moulding. In February 2024, they joined the Jobs Creation Project, an initiative by Hand in Hand Zimbabwe aimed at empowering communities through skill development and entrepreneurship.

Prior to their involvement with the Jobs Creation Project, the members of the Unbreakable Youth were facing significant challenges. Most of them had recently completed their education but found themselves unemployed and uncertain about their future paths. They lacked both income and direction, which is a common issue among youth in many rural areas where job opportunities are scarce.

Upon joining the Jobs Creation Project, the group received comprehensive business management training. This training equipped them with essential skills such as financial literacy, marketing strategies, production techniques, and overall business operations. The knowledge gained from these sessions empowered them to establish a viable brick moulding business.

With newfound skills and confidence, the Unbreakable Youths launched their brick moulding venture. They initiated an internal saving and lending scheme, where each member contributes $5 monthly. This collective effort  allowed them to accumulate funds necessary for purchasing machinery and cement supplies required for brick production.

The group’s efforts have led to impressive productivity levels; they now produce over 300 bricks per day. This output not only meets local demand but also positions them as a competitive player in their market. Each member receives a take-home pay of at least $100 per month, which significantly improves their financial stability compared to their previous situation of unemployment. Moreso, the group income sales amount to $1 625 and they make a profit of $780 per month .Each block of brick is sold at $0.50 and the smaller block at $0.30.

Additionally, some members have leveraged the profits from brick moulding to start individual businesses such as tuckshop and horticulture, showcasing the ripple effect of entrepreneurial success within the community.

The Unbreakable Youths have created a dream calendar, outlining their aspirations for future growth and development. This calendar serves as both a motivational tool and a strategic plan that guides their actions towards achieving long-term goals such as expanding production capacity, diversifying product offerings, or even establishing a larger cooperative enterprise.

Through determination, training, and collaboration facilitated by Hand in Hand Zimbabwe’s Jobs Creation Project, the Unbreakable Youth Self-Help Group has transformed from unemployed individuals into successful entrepreneurs contributing positively to their community.