By Tendai Chisiri
“I managed to buy a cow through CARE International Zimbabwe’s Village and Loans Association known as “mukando” in the vernacular language and my life has changed as I now possess wealth of the family”, said Tariro Maneto * at CARE International Zimbabwe’s 30th anniversary celebrations in the capital Thursday.
Tariro Maneto is among the beneficiaries of CARE International Zimbabwe’s humanitarian work and gave her speech commending the good work done by the organisation in fighting poverty in marginalized rural communities.
“In my community, women are not included in creating the wealth of the family but with Care International women have been uplifted and are doing projects thereby helping in the family financially”, she said.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni applauded Care International Zimbabwe for transforming 3,5 million lives they have touched in the three decades.
Dr Sithembiso Nyoni as the guest of honour toured the exhibition stalls where various stakeholders exhibited their wares inline with Care International’s vision. Canadian Ambassador Christina Buchan also toured.
Speaking at the anniversary celebrations, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni said she commended CARE International Zimbabwe and their partners for making the 30th anniversary possible.
“My Ministry stands ready to work and colloborate with such efforts as being made by CARE International Zimbabwe.Poverty is an integrated ill and , it needs all of us to attack it from different angles. As Government, we support communities to initiate and start development programmes together”, said Minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni.
“Various funding mechanisms are put in place for there needs such as through the Zimbabwe Community Development Fund, Women’s fund and for bigger loan facilities through SMEDCO and through these women’s empowerment clubs, women have been able to improve their lives and those of their families and communities. Together let us continue to make s difference”, she urged.
Established in 1991, CARE International Zimbabwe made great contributions during the drought in the early 99’s and early 2000s with food aid and mostly in rural communities.
CARE International Zimbabwe has been on the ground implementing various projects in five provinces across Zimbabwe. These have included the Village Savings and Loans Associations that have financially empowered the communities, the building of dams, drilling of boreholes, the quick action in response to the devastation done by Cyclone Idai and more recently supporting the government of Zimbabwe in the Covid-19 vaccination drive.
CARE is leading a US$55 million five-year(October 2020 to September 2025) USAID/BHA- funded Resilience Food Security Activity in Zimbabwe.
The programme is titled Takunda meaning “we have overcome”, in Shona.
The purpose of the programme is increased gender equitable income among extremely poor and chronically vulnerable households, women and youth. The second purpose of the Takunda programme is improved nutritional status among children under 5 years, adolescent girls, and women of reproductive age Last but not least purpose is reduced impact of shocks and stressed for extremely poor and chronically vulnerable households, women and youth.
The sustainable, equitable and resilient food, nutrition and income security in Manicaland and Masvingo has reached 301 636 participants of which 173 000 are youth aged between 25-35, 114 000 are women of reproductive age and 57 970 are adolescent girls aged 10 to 15.
Speaking about disaster preparedness and risk reduction earlier on the day on Zimpapers Television Network, CARE country director Patrick Sikana said “CARE Zimbabwe has a dual mandate to respond to disasters and help communities to prepare and be resilient.
Care Zimbabwe tweeted that they are celebrating 30 years of empowering communities s in Zimbabwe.
* not her real name
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