Mother’s Pride Self Help group journey , from unemployed individual members to empowered entrepreneurs ,exemplifies the transformative impact of Jobs Creation Project ,a Hand in Hand Zimbabwe initiative.

The twelve-member group which is located in Munyati North approximately 15km from Chivhu town received training on business development and technical skills trainings in 2022.

Before intervention from the organisation, members say they were living in abject poverty for years as a result of unemployment and lack of technical skills.

“Before l joined the self help group ,l experienced difficulties in providing decent food for my family. My children were often mocked at school for paying their tuition fee late. I felt like ,l had failed them, then in 2022,a friend of mine introduced me to the self- group which transformed me.

“We engaged as women and received trainings from Hand in Hand Zimbabwe ,which propelled us to start an enterprise together. Through the group ,l have learnt a lot ,l feel empowered and independent”,said a member of Mother ‘s Pride SHG.

With funds sourced from their group Internal Savings and Lending (ISALs)of USD20, the group initiated a confectionery enterprise specializing in producing fresh bread and buns. Currently, they sell an average of 4000 buns and 50 loaves of bread per week, generating a weekly gross income of USD 450.

The group has successfully diversified its entrepreneurial activities into three main areas: baking, broiler production, and horticulture.

The group ventured into broiler production as their second enterprise, which has shown significant success. They currently sell an average of 200 chickens per month, resulting in a gross income of USD 1200 from this enterprise alone. To meet market demand and boost their income, the group is considering expanding their fowl runs to accommodate larger batch sizes of up to 1000 chickens.

Mother ‘s Pride is also  into horticulture ,farming  leafy vegetables e.g Tsunga and covo using sustainable farming practices. By adopting environmentally friendly methods, such as organic farming and water conservation techniques, Mother’s Pride has not only ensured the quality of their produce but also minimized their impact on the environment.

Through their dedication to sustainable farming practices, Mother’s Pride has established itself as a reliable supplier of fresh vegetables in the local area. Their commitment to quality and consistency has earned them a reputation among consumers, leading to increased demand for their produce.

Mother’s Pride currently relies on a nearby dam for irrigation purposes. However, they are looking to enhance their water security by drilling their own borehole before the end of the year. This strategic move will enable them to expand their cultivation efforts and grow a diverse range of vegetable crops throughout the year.

Despite facing challenges related to water availability, Mother’s Pride has managed to generate a net income of approximately USD 200 per month from their horticulture enterprise. With plans to operationalize the borehole soon, they aim to increase their profitability and further strengthen their position as a key player in the local vegetable market.

Mother’s Pride Self Help Group aims to continue expanding its entrepreneurial activities to increase its income earnings further. By diversifying into horticulture or other potential ventures, the group can enhance its economic sustainability and contribute positively to the local economy.

The success story of Mother’s Pride Self Help Group showcases the impact of community-driven initiatives supported by Hand in Hand Zimbabwe in empowering individuals to create sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship.