Andrew
Tendai Chara
THERESA Nkhoma, of Chipopoteke Village in Chinamhora, Mashonaland East province, has developed a creative habit over the years — thinking outside the box.
The mother of four has perfected the art of recycling, creating a sustainable livelihood for herself and many others in the process.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in 2019, Nkhoma has been earning a decent living out of recycling discarded waste materials.
She has been collecting discarded sweet wrapping paper, cooking oil containers, zips, buttons and old clothes, among other seemingly useless things, before turning them into usable items.
The Sunday Mail Society recently caught up with the enterprising woman during Cultural Day commemorations in Domboshava.
Her exhibition stand was among the most frequented. Visitors watched and listened in awe as Nkhoma narrated how she turns trash into valuable items.
A beautiful wedding gown, which Nkhoma said was made out of recycled sacks and an old dress, was among the many items that left those who visited her stand awestruck.
“I took the sacks I had at home, crocheted them with pieces of cloth from my old torn dress and came up with this dazzling outfit,” said Nkhoma as she explained how she made the wedding gown.
One of the fascinating products on display was a seemingly new, shiny and stylish handbag.
“I know that many people will not believe me. The truth of the matter is that this nice handbag was made out of an old Shangani bag. I picked up from a dumpsite the clothing that I used to make the handbag,” she said.
Also on display was a good-looking pillow she made out of a torn duvet cover.
Necklaces, rings, wallets, toilet bags and curtains made from recycled materials were also on display.
A two-litre cooking oil plastic container was also designed and crocheted into a beautiful dressing table item.
“I use this item to hold my earrings, necklaces and other essential personal items. I did not spend a dime on this essential item.
“I urge women out there not to throw away old clothes before taking the zips and buttons. You can actually take an old zip and place it on a new dress,” she added.
Nkhoma’s thriving project was mooted at the height of the coronavirus-induced lockdowns.
“I came across an article in which some enterprising Chinese were said to be recycling almost everything. Since it was during the height of the lockdowns, I decided to experiment and these products you are seeing here are a result of that experiment.”
Livelihood
For Nkhoma, what started off as an experiment has proved to be a reliable source of livelihood. From humble beginnings, she is now working with eight other women.
“Most people bemoan the lack of starting capital. For me, the capital is there in the rubbish bins and in your home. We must look and think outside the box.”
Dignified work
Responding to a question from one of the visitors to her stand, she said recycling is dignified work.
“The items that we use are easy to find. One does not necessarily need to scrounge at rubbish bins to get the items. One can take a zip from an old shirt or a button from an old dress,” explained Nkhoma.
Cathrine Mapokotera, a member of the First Choice Arts and Craft Centre, which produces traditional artefacts, said her eight-member group has learnt a lot from Nkhoma’s creativity.
“I learnt that one can make money out of anything and everything.
“We are going to make beads from the simplest of things.
“One can get the capital to start a project from the least expected sources,” Mapokotera said.
Cathrine Kaseke, an aide of Chief Chinamhora, urged women to be innovative and start their own businesses.
“What I learnt from this project is that one can start a business out of nothing. Imagine this woman is earning a living through the things that we throw away in our homes,” said Kaseke.
Online Reporter