Self Help Groups graduate in Natane ward 3

Hand In Hand Zimbabwe (HiH Zim) is a local NGO which implements a poverty reduction programme through job creation using the Self Help Group (SHG) model and enterprise development concept. The programme targets mainly the women, youths and people living with disabilities who have limited resources to sustain a living through capacity building and empowerment.
Of success, HiH Zim in collaboration with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development trained communities in Natane ward 3 located east of Bulilima District to start and grow small businesses so that they can earn an income and confidence in their ability to be economically active. The training sessions which are done in six months covered the following five modules; Self Help Group strengthening. Managing money, Business opportunity identification, managing enterprise marketing and managing enterprise finances.
Having completed the six months modular training, the graduation ceremony was organised at ward level by ward 3 communities with the assistance of Hand in Hand Zimbabwe. The ceremony was attended by the Self Help Group members, local leadership, community members, representatives from the government ministries which include Ministry of Women affairs, Gender and Community Development as well as Representatives from Ministry of Small Medium and Cooperative Development. The SHGs took turns to show case the knowledge gained at the SHG through exhibition of wares which are part of the enterprises, speeches from SHGs representatives, songs, drama and poems thus providing the entertainment for the day.

“Extension support from the local Agritex officer Miss Nakisani Tshuma has been very instrumental in the success of our indigenous chicken enterprise because she has helped us in improving housing for the chickens”, said Miss Lindiwe Mangani the chairperson for Mzilikazi SHG which is into indigenous chicken production.

“The arrival of the project in 2015 was a blessing as it provided us with knowledge on how to start and scale up small businesses by finding bigger markets. After being part of Ukwenza Kunye Self Help Group I borrowed a loan from the group fund valued at US$50. With it I bought winter clothes for selling from Botswana. Since then I have been able to restock my business every month realising a profit margin of US70.00. With the proceeds I have managed to pay school fees for all of my children’s school fees, buy stationary and some food for the family”, narrated Grace Nkomo on behalf of Ukwenza Kunye Self Help Group.

SHG member receiving the certificate Area Manager giving speech

The HIH Zim Area Manager for Bulilima officiated as the guests of honour with speech of encouragement, motivation and the certificates were handed to the graduates. In total, over 60 graduates from 10 Self Help Groups (SHGs) received certificates

SHG graduates pose at Natane ward 3

Recorded by: Unami