Mrs Rejoice Mpofu is a 33-year-old member of Amandla Self Help Group (SHG) in Zhende village, ward 19 in Nkayi district. Her vending enterprising has helped her to break loose from poverty chains that are crippling most households in the district. Prior to joining the Hand in Hand Zimbabwe JCP project, like any other community member she suffered poverty (food insecurity and shortages of money). These were emanating from the unrelenting droughts and lack of economic activities or employment opportunities in the district. Most households in this region barely harvest anything from the fields recurrently

“I used to live on hand-outs” she recited with a relieved smile on her face. Thanks to Hand in Hand Zimbabwe through the ward Enterprise Development Facilitator (EDF) who facilitated the formation of Amandla SHG and business trainings. After the business trainings, Rejoice opted for retailing and she used group Internal Savings and Lending funds and personnel savings to establish it.

She started her venture by selling in a tuckshop, but her business has grown and she is currently renting a General Dealer shop. On a good month, she can make a profit of US$200.

Her business earnings allow her to meet household needs such as buying food, clothes, and pay children’s school fees amongst other things since her husband is not employed.

She is grateful for the training and support that she received from Hand in Hand Zimbabwe “I wish more support could be extended to other communities so that we fight poverty together. Hand in Hand Zimbabwe has greatly helped me through its enterprise development modules. Knowledge is power, the trainings transformed my mind to be self-independent hence I established an enterprise which is my source of household income” she said joyfully.