Ecobank, CARE International, and Hand in Hand Zimbabwe Collaborate to Empower Gwanda Farmers.
In a bid to enhance women’s economic empowerment in Gwanda, CARE International, Ecobank, and Hand in Hand Zimbabwe took a unified step on Friday, donating US$100,000 to assist hundreds of local farmers.
The project, marked as the trio’s debut investment for community self-sustaining initiatives in the district, trained 130 selected beneficiaries on essential skills in financial management and gender balance, as reported by Newsday Zimbabwe. With its two-phase implementation, the project aims to provide resources to women to help kickstart and sustain income-generating projects.
Patrick Sikana, CARE Zimbabwe’s country director, emphasized the project’s role in helping women achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions. “These funds operate on a revolving basis, enabling groups of women to utilize and multiply these resources, subsequently passing them on to others. We’re supporting ideas with a proven potential for success and a commitment to replenishing the fund,” Sikana explained.
Celisiwe Moyo, Chairperson of Phakamani Horticulture Value Addition, expressed gratitude for the financial support. Highlighting the previous challenges they faced in securing loans, Moyo said, “It’s heartening to see banks recognize and support our endeavors. These loans will significantly amplify our business growth.”
Future Kamutendo, representing Ecobank, assured the continuation of funding to bolster these projects. Notably, a similar initiative took place in the Buhera district, where Ecobank contributed US$35,000 to support women’s projects.
