Help Rural Women Start Income Generating Projects

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for all the support you have given to disadvantaged rural women in Zimbabwe over the years. Women in the rural areas are key players in ensuring the livelihood of their households despite being disadvantaged educationally and economically. They play key roles in farmimg and in household activities such as fetching water and firewood, and taking care of basic education and health issues of their family members. 

This project is at the heart of our organization and is our strategy for improving the livelihood of rural women. The ultimate goal of the project is to provide an alternative source of income for poor women so that they dont have to rely solely on farming. Our approach  for improving the livelihood of rural women is by providing them the funds to start income generating projects.  

In keeping with this focus we luanched a sewing project in Manzire village. The sewing project is in full swing. We are proud of what we have accomplished together so far to empower six women from Manvire village to earn an income through sewing. Thanks to you for your help! Here are some midyear highlights:

• To date we have donated three sewing machines, sewing materials and $100.00 to the project. The project is a big success. So far the women have made school uniforms and sold the uniforms for a profit of $300.00. The women are very grateful to you for all the support you have given them. Here is what two of the women had to say:

"Our lives have changed dramatically because of this project. We can now afford to buy food, pay school fees and and buy school suppplies for our kids. Thank you very much."

"I am filled with so much joy when I see how much my life has improved. Being a widow and the sole supporter of my three children has been a challenge. I have always envied the other women who have their husbands as they seem to be doing so much better than us. I always wished I could afford to provide tea and bread to my kids before they go to school but I just didnt have the money. I am pleased to announce that I can now afford to buy food, provide tea and bread to my kids and to buy them school supplies. I never dreamed that the day would come when I would be able to make ends meet. Because of your support our future is bright! Thank you so much for helping us. May good things come your way."  

Having grown up in Zimbabwe I fully understand what it means for a mother to be able to provide tea and bread to her family. Tea is considered a delicacy in Zimbabwe. Due to poverty the vast majority of families in the rural areas only drink tea and eat bread once a year, on Christmas day. If you ask a kid in these rural areas what Christmas is all about, the answer will be, "It is the time we drink tea and eat bread and jam."  The vast majority of the kids in these rural areas go to school without eating breakfast. The lucky ones drink "maheu" for breakfast. This is a drink prepared using left over sadza, the staple food of Zimbabwe made from corn meal. I can understand why these women are ecstatic to be able to provide tea to their kids. This is a clear indication that this project is having a positive impact on the livelihoods of these women and their families. 

We are pleased to announce that instead of purchasing the scout uniforms for our scout program from Harare, the women who participate in the sewing project will make the uniforms. We will buy 40 uniforms from the women @ $10 a uniform.

As you can see from the these pictures and by the testimonials from the beneficiaries your support is making a difference in the lives of these women. Thank you again!

Best wishes,

Thelma