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Richard Muponde Gwanda Correspondent
THE Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust has stopped funding social projects to venture into mining and agriculture so that it generates profits to sustain its operations.

Since its inception in 2013, the Trust has allocated $2, 5 million for developmental projects, with 27 groups having benefited from loans to embark on income generating projects.

The Trust was launched in 2013 by President Mugabe in Colleen Bawn.

In an interview, the Trust’s administrator, Mr Costa Nkala, said they had stopped issuing out money for social projects but would now focus on income generating businesses for the Trust.

“We have decided to scale down on social projects. We are now trying to focus on enterprises in agriculture and mining so that we sustain the Trust. In as much as social projects are noble we are trying to sustain the organisation,” said Mr Nkala.

He said although they have not come up with concrete projects in different sectors they want to venture into, progress has been made towards deviating from social projects to business enterprises.

“Very soon we will be in full time business. We are still considering the plans and come up with a business plan which will help us in our endeavour to make business for the Trust,” Mr Nkala said.

Since its launch, the Trust has been involved in social projects which has seen it building five laboratories at five schools in the district at a cost of about $850,000.

The Trust has also built classroom blocks and bought new furniture for some schools.

It also gave loans to village groups for income generating projects.

Over $59,000 was loaned to 27 groups and two individuals who are involved in various projects such as piggery, poultry, sewing, mining, goat production, cattle fattening and grinding mills.