Last week Hand in Hand Zimbabwe handed over baking inputs to 12 youths who are running a baking enterprise in Ward 1, Chirumanzu district.

This move is set to help them to boost production which will in turn increase their income, resulting in improved livelihoods.

The group which bakes plain buns, cream doughnuts, twist buns and bread received a consignment which included 11 bags of 50kgs flour, 40kgs sugar, 4kgs icing sugar, 4kgs yeast, 3kgs margarine and 10kgs salt.

In an interview, Hazel Mhembere, the Youth Project Coordinator said the Productive support is meant to enhance already existing youth enterprises which are under the Motivated and Entrepreneurial Youth (MEY) Project second phase to increase production and improve quality of their entrepreneurial activities.

‘We previously supported 8 Groups in the 3^rd quarter of the 2^nd phase of MEY and we are now selecting more for the 4^th quarter, “she sai.

One of the group member, Prisca Masotsha (35) said the inputs will indeed go a long way in assisting them to boost production and supply bigger markets.

“Our vision is to grow our venture and become like well-known bakeries such as Lobels and Proton,” she said.

The 12-member cluster was formed after Kubatana and Power of God Star clubs merged in 2021 and they have since secured a huge market base within their local community, at 3 schools and 9 local stores.

On a good month, the group makes an income of USD$1200, reinvests half to the business and share the remaining USD$600 equally.

This has improved the lives of group members who are now able to cater for their household needs.

“The monthly income I receive from the group enterprise has enabled me to boost my individual poultry enterprise.

“I no longer depend on my husband and I can take care of my 3 school going children,” Doreen Makuswa (33), a group member said.

With the group only limited to using 150kgs of flour per week, they found it hard to meet demand for their baked products.

The productive support inputs will however help them to increase production and meet demand.