SHURUGWI -35-year-old Patience Chigariro from Chachacha, Shurugwi district never dreamt that she would one day run a successful business.

Struggling to make ends meet, the mother of two thought she would die a pauper. But those were just mere thoughts until he was introduced to Hand in Hand Zimbabwe’s Motivated Entrepreneurial Youth Project (MEY) and her life improved significantly for the better.

Patience Chigariro

After joining the MEY project in 2016, she went through an intensive six-month modular training on Health Motivation, and Entrepreneurship.

Equipped with her new entrepreneurial skills, she quickly looked for space to open a boutique at Chachacha Business centre.

Patience now owns a trendy boutique where she sells clothes, cosmetics, jewellery, handbags, shoes and various fashion accessories that she imports from neighbouring South Africa.

On a good month the hardworking woman can make profit of up to $150 from selling her high-quality goods.

Her life has dramatically changed as she can now afford to take care of herself and her two children.

“My life has changed for the better. I am now financially stable, a stage I never thought I would reach in my life.

I am even building a three-bedroomed house from the proceeds of my business,” she said.

To increase her income base, Patience also doubles as a hairdresser and attends to clients at her boutique.

The cheerful woman, is a member of Hand in Hand Zimbabwe supported Latter Rain Self Help Group which is made up of 5 women who have boutiques and hair salons at Chachacha business centre.

Patience (Left) with three members of her group 

The women contribute USD$10 per month at a 20% return rate and this has helped their individual businesses to grow.

Hand in Hand Zimbabwe values the empowerment of women and youth. In its community support interventions, the organization has made it deliberate to support 80% women and a cumulative 20% youth. It is the organization’s belief that targeting women ensures the attainment of sustainable development.