Raised by single mum to empower others: The story of Garry Goddard and his foundation

GARRY Goddard (29) knows the challenges of growing up with a single mother who had to work hard to provide for him. He also knows the power of having a skill that can change one’s life. That is why he established a foundation to empower young people with life skills, which has seen his foundation (Balmex) empowering more than 8 000 youths in Matabeleland since inception in 2017.

Balmex offers a range of life changing skills such as hairdressing, baking, hotel and catering, tourism and hospitality, beauty therapy, till operating, merchandising, business management and marketing. These courses are offered at an affordable fee.

Goddard said in 2017 when he started his foundation, he empowered 40 people as the organisation was still new and numbers kept growing as many people got information on the organisation.

The organisation, which has its offices in Tshabalala at Matshiphisa and Bellevue, has empowered youths who are now employed while some have started projects that are employing people in different parts of Matabeleland.

“I was raised by a single mother, that was the reason that pushed me to start this organisation because I noticed that being a single mother is not easy and you will find women out there engaged in things like prostitution just to get a livelihood for their kids. As Balmex we are offering life skills which are short courses and the theme we are running with is “Empowering Young Men and Women for Greatness,” said Goddard.

He said there were many single mothers and most of them either dropped out of school or didn’t do well while others failed to go to school because they had no money.

“What we do as Balmex is that we equip them with skills and these courses don’t require ordinary level passes,” said Goddard.

He said the organisation has been partnering with businesspeople in its programmes to empower the people.

From 2019 to 2023, Goddard said they partnered with Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Mod and empowered more than 6 000 youths and the target this year is to empower more than 8 000.

The organisation is set to open offices in Gwanda and Plumtree soon, a development, which will see most parts of Matabeleland being covered.

Goddard said Deputy Minister Modi was paying half of the required fees for skills training.

Speaking to Chronicle, one of the beneficiaries, Neidra Malinga, said Balmex helped her fulfil her dream.

She said before joining Balmex, she was staying in South Africa with her mum who at some point tried to pay for her fees at a certain school but she failed as the fees were exorbitant.

“I tried to do these courses when I was in South Africa and I was paying R10 000 per month. My mother’s friend who was here in Zimbabwe then told us about Balmex. Thus, when I enrolled at Balmex since my mum was struggling to raise R10 000 per month for me to continue with the course in South Africa. Everything went well at Balmex. I did massage, hairdressing, facials, manicure and pedicures and all types of nails.

“Now I got a space where I’m operating from in Tsholotsho but my mother’s friend who is the one who motivated me to do these courses is opening her spa in South Africa, so next week I will be moving back to South Africa where I will be working with her,” she said. – @SikhulekeleaniM1