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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

NKAZHE Village in Gwanda District is home to an inspiring woman, 69-year-old Dorcas Nyoni. With unwavering determination, Nyoni has transformed her life through entrepreneurship, leveraging the power of community and her own ingenuity.

By diligently saving and borrowing from her Internal Savings and Lending Scheme (ISALS) group, Nyoni was able to establish her own grain milling station. The initial capital for this venture was further supplemented by income generated from her farm produce.

Ms Dorcas Nyoni shows her grinding mill

Nyoni’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. She invested in a deep freezer, powered by a solar system, to start a thriving freezit selling business. Schoolchildren from nearby areas have become her loyal customers. With the recent acquisition of a two-plate gas stove, Nyoni plans to further improve her homestead, thanks to another loan from her ISALS group.

She is a member of the Zimiseleni ISALS Group, which consists of 10 women. This group is part of the ISALS established in Ward 1 area in Gwanda District by the Self Help Development Foundation (SHDF) under the “Strengthening Women’s Agency in Food and Climate Systems” programme, funded by We Effect and supported by the Swedish Embassy.

Ms Sithembile Ncube shows her water pump engine

“We started our ISALS group in 2019 after receiving training from the Self Help Development Foundation. In 2022, I borrowed money and bought a grinding mill. US$200 came from the ISALS group and another US$200 from my proceeds from selling my harvest. I made an arrangement with Nkazhe Primary School, and they bring their grain to me for grinding to feed learners. Villagers also bring their grain to me for grinding. This project has greatly helped me to sustain my family.

In February this year, I was able to buy a deep freezer, which has helped me start a business selling freezits, mainly to school children,” she said.

Nyoni said the ISALS project has empowered her. She mentioned that in the past, it was difficult to raise capital to start projects, but by working together as women, they have become economically empowered.

ISALS, popularly known as village savings and lending schemes have helped villagers access funds to cater for their financial needs, especially during emergencies. A village savings and lending group is a group of people who save together and take small loans from those savings, repaying them with interest.

This initiative has economically empowered communities, especially women. Some groups contribute money monthly towards the savings and lending pool, while other villagers operate various livelihood projects and set aside some proceeds towards the savings and lending project.

The project has become a mini bank where rural folk can access cash in case of emergencies. Village savings and lending schemes have been rolled out in numerous villages with the assistance of various development partners. They are conducted at both group and village levels.

Ms Dorcas Nyoni shows her grinding mill

Nompilo Sibindi (33), also a member of the Zimiseleni Group, said she was able to buy her first cattle and goats using money from the ISALS group. Sithembile Ncube (60), a member of the Dalumehluko Group from Matshiya Village in Gwanda District, recently bought a water pump engine using money from her ISAL group. The pump will help boost her horticulture project.

“I have a horticulture project where I grow various crops in my garden, which I sell to locals and shops in Gwanda. I recently bought an engine to improve the water supply for my project. Water supply has been a challenge in our area, affecting my production. Once I have mounted my engine, I expect my business to boom.

It’s difficult to save money for business when you are alone and to meet the requirements of financial organisations as we don’t have the necessary assets. Coming together as ISALs has empowered us in rural communities,” she said.

Ncube has also managed to buy furniture and start a poultry project using money borrowed from their ISALS group. Self Help Development Foundation executive director, Muchanyara Cynthia Mukamuri, said women were trained to work as co-operatives to promote unity. She mentioned that 64 ISALS have been established in Gwanda and Buhera under the project.

Ms Dorcas Nyoni shows off her grinding mill

“The project seeks to promote self-reliance and sustainable development among marginalised women and youth in Zimbabwe’s rural communities. Through ISALs, the project has helped increase financial literacy among communities, promote savings and investments, and support entrepreneurship.

ISALS groups have a slightly higher proportion of women participants, which is a positive development. Women have historically been marginalised in the financial sector and often lack access to credit and other financial resources by creating a space where women can come together, pool their resources, and support each other’s financial goals,” she said.

Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Matabeleland South provincial development co-ordinator, Majorie Skhundla, said ISALS have empowered many families. She noted that many village groups have now adopted the concept upon realising its benefits.

“Development partners have come in to complement the Government under the ISALS project. They have introduced social information and economic empowerment initiatives. ISALS have helped reduce gender-based violence cases because community members are now occupied and economically empowered.

ISALS is about starting with the little that you have. Groups can start by saving any amount they can afford, and by the end of the year, this money makes a huge difference,” she said. @DubeMatutu