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Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
A MAKONI-BASED church has launched a livestock empowerment programme aimed at economically uplifting the local communities.
In 2019, One Church Zimbabwe distributed 200 goats to Karikiriki (Ward 38) and Zindoga (Ward 16) communities in Makoni District under its Church Community Mobilisation Process aimed at transforming lives in the communities using locally available resources.
A total of 90 families have so far benefitted from the pass on a goat project and the church leader, Pastor Kennedy Makwenda, said they are working with Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Tearfund and Agritex in implementing the projects.
“Our church has been running these Self Help Groups in Zindoga and Karikiriki since 2014. We have distributed 200 goats to the communities and 90 community members have benefited.
“The herd of goats has since increased from 200 in 2019 to over 350 in 2021. The idea behind the goat rearing project is for a household to keep two or three goats for two years while they reproduce and then pass them to another household,” he said.
Pastor Makwenda said they are working in collaboration with Agritex, Department of Veterinary Services, traditional leaders and other churches to ensure that the project remains vibrant.
“The church also has self-help groups were locals make monthly contributions, with individuals borrowing from the contributions to invest in their various income generating ventures. They return the money with a little interest,” said Pastor Makwenda.
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