From despair to hope: Young mothers now see a bright future

Theseus Shambare recently in GOROMONZI

THE silver tilapia shimmered in the nets, a stark contrast to the darkness that once threatened to engulf Chantelle Mabande’s young life.

“Being a single mother is not a joke,” begins the quiet but resolute voice of Chantelle (19), a young woman whose life story is a testament of resilience.

“Worse still when you are sexually abused and abandoned.”

For Chantelle, an orphan living in the shadow of Arcturus Mine in Goromonzi, these words betray the realities she has navigated since being left alone and pregnant at the tender age of 16.

“After having been sexually abused, I fought through the pregnancy journey with no companion or anyone to share the experience with,” she said in an interview with The Sunday Mail.

“I tried menial jobs. Life was hard.”

In the dusty lanes surrounding the mine, where opportunity was as scarce as clean water, survival often meant succumbing to the predatory whispers of older women.

“They told me it was the only way to eat,” Chantelle recalled.

Sex work is a path many young, vulnerable women in the Arcturus mining community were forced to tread, a consequence of poverty and a lack of viable alternatives.

Patricia Saulos (24) shares a similar harrowing past.

“Since the age of 13,” she said, “I would sleep with between eight and 10 men per night just to have a meal.”

The experiences of these young people, tragically, are not unique.

A 2023 report by Grant Murewanhema titled “Commercial sexual exploitation of children in Zimbabwe: A threat to human and social development” highlights the broader crisis.

The study discusses rising cases of commercial sexual exploitation of children in Zimbabwe, where the young ones, especially girls, are being forced into sex work due to socioeconomic factors, abuse and the influence of social media.

It highlights the severe consequences, such as physical and mental health issues, as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

Hope

However, a beacon of hope has pierced through the darkness, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Government and Unlimited Hope Alliance, a non-governmental organisation.

“When I came to this place, I was touched by these young girls, some as young as 14 years, who had dropped out of school and got pregnant,” said Mrs Mary Chigumira, the director of Unlimited Hope Alliance.

“We knew we had to do something.”

This “something” has manifested in tangible projects in areas such as horticulture and, most notably, aquaculture.

A recent visit to Arcturus in Goromonzi during a fish-harvesting event offered a powerful testament to this transformation.

The air buzzed with a quiet sense of triumph as women, their hands now calloused from honest labour, hauled nets heavy with silver tilapia from the ponds.

For Chantelle, the sight was nothing short of a miracle.

“I would like to thank the Government for this programme, which came at a time I was really in need,” she exclaimed.

“As an orphan, I was desperate and started doing sex work. This project . . . is a godsend.”

This initiative, spearheaded by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department (FARD), aims to uplift marginalised communities through the power of aquaculture, providing a sustainable alternative to precarious sex work.

At the heart of this transformation is a collective known as Pamodzi Fisheries and Fresh Produce — a group of 10 determined young women.

“It is a privilege and great honour to stand before you today as we witness the fruits of dedication, learning and collaboration,” declared FARD director Mr Milton Makumbe at the vent.

“This theme, ‘Harnessing the Fruits of the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme’, truly celebrates your transformative journey,” he said.

Mr Makumbe acknowledged the arduous paths many of these women had traversed to fend for their families.

“Among us are women who were once engaged in sex work and some who are teenage mothers,” he said.

“Their stories are not defined by their past, but by their courage to rewrite the narrative of their lives.”

He emphasised the empowering nature of fish farming to their communities.

“By embracing aquaculture, you have found not only a means of livelihood but a transformative tool to reclaim your futures and uplift your communities,” said Mr Makumbe.

The journey towards this success began with crucial support from FARD.

“We collaborated with the group in October 2024, refurbishing their fishponds and stocking them with 2 000 fingerlings,” Mr Makumbe said.

This practical assistance was coupled with essential knowledge transfer.

“Their success is rooted in knowledge. Through this hands-on training at the Henderson Fisheries Unit, they learned practical skills, from meticulous pond preparation and consistent feeding routines to effective pond management.”

He acknowledged the collaborative effort behind the initiative.

“I must express my gratitude to our various partners who contributed to the project’s success.”

The harvest itself was a moment of collective triumph. Together, the women hauled in over 200 kilogrammes of tilapia.

“It was hard work, but look what we achieved,” said Patricia, a wide smile finally gracing her face.

The fruits of their labour found an immediate market within the Arcturus mining community.

Each kilogramme was sold for US$4, with plans to reinvest the proceeds into the project, ensuring its longevity and expansion.

“The community was waiting for our fish,” Chantelle said with a newfound sense of pride.

“We sold everything quickly.”

The potential for sustained growth received a significant boost from TN Holdings Group, which is operating the mine.

“Witnessing the incredible resilience and hard work of these young women, TN Gold, operating here in Arcturus, is committed to supporting their journey towards sustainability,” said Dr Lovejoy Chabata, the group’s public relations executive.

“We will be providing financial assistance to ensure this project continues to thrive and empowers even more young women in the community.”

As the world celebrates Mother’s Day, the achievements of these women in Goromonzi are profoundly significant.

Their journey from vulnerability to empowerment embodies the very essence of maternal strength and the unwavering desire to create a better future, not just for themselves but for their children.

In Arcturus, these former sex workers and teenage mothers are not just surviving; they are cultivating hope, their lives a powerful testimony of the transformative power of opportunity and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

As Chantelle looks at the bustling activity around the ponds, a quiet determination fills her voice.

“This is just the beginning for us,” she said, her gaze fixed on the shimmering water, reflecting a future brimming with possibility; a future where her past no longer dictates her destiny.