'TARIRO' Give HOPE to 100 women in rural Zimbabwe

The women in ‘Tariro’ Savings Groups (SGs) remain united and resilient as Zimbabwe grapples with the reality of climate change and prolonged drought. They continue to meet regularly to pool the earnings from their various enterprises. Working together sharing ideas, encouragement, and their collective loan fund; they are determined to survive and thrive!

Manicaland Province in Eastern Zimbabwe is being devastated by drought. The El Nino declared national disaster lingers. Much-needed World Food Program food aid recently came to a halt as the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda stopped food aid abruptly. The loss of livestock, an essential livelihood source for these rural communities, has deepened poverty and inequality.

Traditionally, these women grow Maize – a water intensive crop which is extremely sensitive to shifts in climate. Thanks to, ‘Tariro’ these women are informed and put their learning into practice - diversifying into drought-resistant crops such as millet, using perma-culture techniques to preserve water such as no-tillage agriculture and water harvesting. Working together to ensure their families will continue to flourish during these challenging times.

The project goal is for one hundred women to receive SG training AND small business skills training in Selection, Planning and Management (SPM). To date, forty women have had SG training and are now active in ‘Tariro’ Savings Groups. According to Director Mr. Causemore Samanga on the ground in Zimbabwe, who has over two decades of experience managing SGs in eastern Zimbabwe, “It’s a miracle from God – witnessing a women’s rapid business growth after SPM training. We look forward to offering this life- changing training to boost the spirits and income of these determined women and to help their children survive during this extremely difficult time!”

Several months have passed since the last report and I am delighted to report that the community continues to work very hard. to ensure that there is no competition amongst themselves the ladies have diversified their interests with some dealing with live strokes and growing vegetables some growing fruits some selling convenient stuff and others focusing on snacks.

 As every family has got to meet their own needs and working to ensure that the community continues to thrive they work very well in teams considering the needs of the community considering available opportunities within the market; I am humbled by what the ladies are doing, they are working cohesively and in such committed manner to ensure the effectiveness of what they do there is deep understanding of the needs to provide for their families as well as keep good relations within the small community.. The project could not have had a better name and whenever I speak to the women, or the ASAP stuff, it is evident that this small project gives hope to the community.

 The attached photographs show different women doing their small businesses and the hope as well as the joy of what they do is visible on their faces plus their body language. I truly hope we continue to receive donations to help more of these women, fund more projects and bring smiles and relief that is much needed.

This project is enabling families living with HIV to sustain their wellbeing, but the required anti virals, food, shelter and care for their children as well as afford education. One's 'Hope' is revived when their eforts are able to provide for their basic needs. As you see, we are getting a lot more feedback as the women are conscious that donors are following theor progress and that for me, is progress. 

What is also encouraging is finding out that the lady who produced the beaded bags from the last report has gone on to expand her skills and knowledge and is also teaching other ladies to learn to do similar skill. So not only is the community working together there is also evidence of continuity within the project. I have no doubt the beading is going to be a constant feature and God willing that they will be doing a variety not just bags but other beaded products. The resilience that the group has shown is very inspiring and I have no doubt they are also inspiring the local populous and the young children within the community. I truly believe that this project will continue to facilitate economic growth within the rural communities; do not tire from doing good. The women still have a long way to go; your support is very valuable to many.