By Edson Mapani recently in Buhera.
Women from Buhera Central Constituency got a shot in arm after Self Help Development Fund(SHDF)and other development partners capaticated them towards the construction of a value-addition centre at Mukambirwa Business Center in Ward 21.
Speaking at an exchange visit event organised by SHDF, Mrs Mucha Cynthia Mukamuri the Executive Director said they were impressed by the work ethic of Mukambirwa women and that this was the beginning of a journey of being women employers
“It is our undying wish that you add value to crops you get in this area such as the small grains becoming employers in the process and above all make money.This is why we have invited some of our development partners so that they take notes,” she said.
The chairlady of the project Mrs Ireen Mutsindikwa thanked SHDF for coming to their rescue and the legislator for Buhera Central Constituency Honourable Sam Matema for his commitment and help towards the realisation of their vision.
“SHDF taught us to do some money making projects and budget the proceeds and we followed that.They also gave us training on advocacy and lobbying.Armed with this knowledge, we were able to go and knock on different doors.This beared fruits and we were given a commercial stand by Buhera Rural District Council(BRDC).Our legislator Honourable Sam Matema gave us the money to get council approval,” a visibly grateful Mutsindikwa said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Mr Elijah Rusike the Programs Manager from We Effect Zimbabwe another development partner noted that the construction of the value addition centre was a positive step towards rural industrialisation and empowerment of women.
“This women led value addition centre is a contribution to rural industrialisation which has been an elusive goal in most rural areas. It will ignite value for the numerous agriculture and non agriculture products famously produced in Buhera such as mhunga, sorghum, zviyo, groundnuts which over the years have been sold for a song enriching mainly middlemen while the tillers of the land remain poor,” he said.
Rusike also added that this value addition centre will give inspiration to the young people not to migrate to town in search of the proverbial greener pastures and also made a clarion call to all stakeholders to put their hands on the deck so that programs of this nature will see the light of the day.
” Youths from the area will draw inspiration and desire to stay than leave their rural homes. As We Effect we see this also contributing to women empowerment as they benefit from this livelihood means. The active participation and support of various stakeholders including government departments will ensure the sustainability of the initiative” he said.