Hand in Hand Zimbabwe is implementing four (4) new Community Upliftment Projects (CUP)s to its portfolio. The development will ensure more rural climate-smart enterprises are created/enhanced.

The new projects will be implemented in Shurugwi, Gwanda, Nkayi and Lupane with the hope of creating 800 jobs upon completion.

Previously, Hand in Hand Zimbabwe implemented 12 CUPs across seven districts of operation resulting in creation of 1,056 jobs.

In an interview, Tawanda Pesanayi the organisation’s Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator, who coordinates the CUPs, said “the addition of the new projects will go a long way in uplifting rural communities in livelihoods, entrepreneurship and promoting food security.

“Through this project we aim to enhance the community´s self-reliance, self-sustainability through starting or strengthening of group and individual enterprises.

“Hand in Hand Zimbabwe will support the community entrepreneurs through conducting business trainings and technical skills trainings on environmentally friendly farming practices.

The organisation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Felix Tete indicated that through business training, technical skills, the organization capacitates people living in poverty, particularly women, to build and sustain independent, market-based, economic activities.

The CEO is positive that rural households living in poverty and vulnerable situations will be equipped with entrepreneurial and managerial skills, including savings and financial management.

“Environmentally friendly viable enterprises will be established or enhanced in the targeted communities and sustainable jobs are expected to be created through these interventions,” he said.

He added that jobs created will provide a higher level of income for the entrepreneurs and their families, consequently contributing to greater food security and improved livelihoods.

Hand in Hand Zimbabwe is a non-profit organization whose vision is “to build socio-economically resilient communities.”  Its mission is “to alleviate poverty amongst vulnerable communities especially women and youth through capacity development, entrepreneurship and partnerships for sustainable development.

The organisation was registered as Development Trust in July 2015 and as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) in May 2020.

The organisation implements its six (6) key projects in Bulilima, Nkayi, Gwanda, Chikomba, Shurugwi, Chirumanzu and Lupane