Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare recently in SHAMVA
A US$108 500 rural enterprise drive is reshaping livelihoods in Shamva District, with community poultry and piggery projects, youth skills development and entrepreneurship support helping families and young people create sustainable income streams.
Implemented by SOS Children’s Villages Zimbabwe under its Family Strengthening Programme, the initiatives are targeting community empowerment through productive enterprises rather than direct assistance.
The investment includes a US$44 000 Madziwa Community Poultry Project, a US$50 000 Ward 3 Community Piggery Project and a US$14 500 Madziwa Youth Incubation Hub.
At the Madziwa Youth Incubation Hub, 23-year-old Anisha Masaire is among young people turning acquired skills into income.
Masaire, who was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, said the centre had given her an opportunity to pursue fashion design and become economically independent.
“I am learning cutting and designing here, and the skills I have gained are already helping me make money. I am producing apostolic sect garments as well as African-inspired attires. This programme has given me confidence because I can now use my skills to create something for myself,” she said.
The hub provides young people with access to equipment, workspace, mentorship and entrepreneurship support.
Shamva District Development Officer in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Mrs Patience Fungai Mkwanda said the facility was addressing challenges that often prevented trained youths from starting businesses.
“We realised that many young people were trained through vocational programmes but after graduating, their skills became dormant because they did not have capital equipment, workspace or mentorship. This incubation hub was created to provide shared equipment, workspace and business guidance so that young people can become entrepreneurs,” she said.
Mrs Mkwanda said 322 youths had directly benefited from the facility through training in clothing and textile, beauty therapy, ICT and other skills.
“We are seeing youths creating businesses, joining savings groups and becoming self-reliant. The objective is to ensure young people become contributors to rural industrialisation,” she said.
At the Madziwa Youth Centre, young people are also receiving adolescent health and wellbeing support.
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council youth health adviser Farai Mhuri said the centre was providing young people with access to information and services.
“The youth centre provides young people with a safe space where they can access information on sexual and reproductive health, life skills and other support services. When young people have access to the right information, they are better equipped to make informed decisions,” he said.
SOS Children’s Villages Family Strengthening Programmes coordinator for Shamva District Mr Malven Manyeza said the livelihood projects were designed to help communities build their own economic base.
“What we are trying to do through these projects is to create platforms where communities can generate income and sustain themselves. The poultry and piggery projects are not just about providing resources; they are about creating businesses owned by communities,” he said.
“When families are economically empowered, they are better positioned to meet their own needs. Our role is to provide the foundation, infrastructure and support, then communities take ownership and grow these initiatives,” said Mr Manyeza.
The Ward 3 Community Piggery Project has supported families with infrastructure, pigs and startup inputs, while the Madziwa poultry initiative received support towards production infrastructure, equipment, feed and other requirements.
