Mash West widows toast to First Lady’s Widows Association business start-up support programme
THOUSANDS of widows in Mashonaland West province received a heart-warming New Year’s gift as the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, descended upon their community with a bounty of resources and empowerment opportunities through her First Lady’s Widows Association.
In a display of her unwavering commitment to uplifting vulnerable women, the First Lady distributed a sizable consignment of goods, goats and vital inputs to ignite their entrepreneurial spirits in farming and business and kick-start their journey towards self-sufficiency, as Dr Mnangagwa forges ahead with her multi-pronged empowerment programmes.
The goods that were given to the women from all districts to start their own shops included flour, cooking oil, sugar beans, drinks, bottled water, snacks, instant noodles, breakfast cereal, vending carts, goats and farming inputs.
The mother of the nation, who is patron of the First Lady’s Widows Association, requested the beneficiaries to form committees of five people led by a focal person per district for easy implementation and evaluation of projects.
If put to good use, the starter packs will place beneficiaries on a pedestal to success.
The First Lady’s gesture dovetailed with her association’s vision to foster a society where widows in Zimbabwe are empowered, self-reliant and actively engaged in shaping their own destinies.
It has a mission to promote financial independence and provide empowerment training opportunities for widows through schemes and programmes that assure greater self-esteem and ease of socio-economic integration.
Yesterday, Amai Mnangagwa interacted with the widows at Pfupajena Stadium and the initiative will be cascaded to all provinces countrywide to promote hard work and ensure widows sustain themselves and their families.
In the spirit of not leaving anyone behind, Dr Mnangagwa said she would also rope in widowers into the association.
The programme also seeks to restore the dignity of widows, who were previously accused of engaging in promiscuity to make ends meet following the death of breadwinners.
The initiative, which coincided with the national clean-up campaign, which is observed every first Friday of the month, started with a clean-up around Pfupajena Stadium and nearby communities, where the First Lady led in the clearing of garbage, alongside Government officials and members of communities.
Dr Mnangagwa, who is also the country’s patron of the environment, led a tree planting session inside the stadium, where various trees were planted.
She donated 200 trees to the communities for onward planting in other districts.
The mother of the nation toured exhibitions of products made by widows through her initiative.
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Environment and wildlife patron Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa throws litter into a refuse collection truck during the national clean-up campaign in Chegutu yesterday
Widows in Mashonaland West welcome First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who brought various goods, inputs, goats and other resources for them to start income-generating projects under the First Lady’s Widows Association in the province yesterday
Environment and wildlife patron Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa plants a tree during her tree planting programme in Chegutu yesterday
Women display various types of dresses, showels, blankets, handbags, detergents, and traditional foods, among other items, they produce under the First Lady’s Widows Association in Mashonaland West
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa looks at the various types of showels, blankets, dresses, handbags and other items designed by women who are part of the widows association she formed in Mashonaland West. —