Staff Writer
Some 56 caregivers were trained in Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC), a savings methodology, after which they formed three savings groups.
The groups meet weekly to save money, creating a pool of resources from which individuals can borrow at very low interest and start income generating projects.
This has helped the women to get accessible loans with no need for collateral as is the requirement at other financial institutions
In light of this, 16 (14 female: 2 males) caregivers have accessed boost capital for their income generating activities.
This has enabled the caregivers to grow their projects and realise improved profit margins. The improved profit margins have enabled the caregivers to meaningfully contribute towards their children’s access to basic services.
“We are glad to report that for the first time since the organization started the education intervention caregivers have managed to contribute towards O ’Level examination fees. 15 students are due to sit for the October/November ordinary level examinations and of these 15, only 2 had their full examination fees being paid by the organization.
“Six caregivers managed to pay the full fees on their own whilst seven made part payments with the organization only coming in to complement efforts made by the caregivers.
“This clearly shows the potential in the caregivers if they get the necessary support,” organisers said.
In addition, 13 young women opted for what they termed a more sustainable route to economic empowerment and requested to go for vocational skills training.
They have been successfully enrolled at Young Women’s Christian Association Council of Zimbabwe where eight of them are doing a course in Nails, make-up, and hairdressing whilst 5 are doing hotel and catering.
Their argument was that services that they can offer with these skills are always on demand even when there are economic difficulties people will always eat and seek to beatify their bodies.
The nails, make-up and hairdressing course duration is 5 months whilst hotel and catering would take 12 months.
They all started on 1 April 2024 and are receiving support with tuition fees and the required learning materials whilst they contribute bus fare and uniform.
Having the beneficiaries contribute something helps instill a sense of responsibility in what they are doing unlike when everything is provided, they will lack ownership.
The program had initially targeted older women who were interested in savings club. However, the young women brought in a new perspective to Women Empowerment.
Instead of joining older women in clubs, they proposed to do vocational training which is more sustainable beyond the project life time.
They had learnt from their peers who were supported through DELTA in 2022 to pursue vocational training.
The grant from Delta of USD10,000 was impactful in addressing the various needs of women of different age groups.
About Author
