Zimbabwe: Cathrine's Inspirational Rise from Poverty to Prosperity
Cathrine and the Maponde village members displayed the chickens they had reared. CARE Zimbabwe At the centre of eastern Zimbabwe, nestled just 3km from the renowned St Noah Shrine, lies the remote village of Maponde. For generations, women in this part of the country have faced a harsh reality marked by gender inequality, limited opportunities, and the looming spectre of child marriage. Cathrine was no stranger to the hardships many women face. "We lived in poverty, and I had nothing to call my own. I endured abuse and abandonment from my husband, who refused to involve me in his business affairs. When he left, I was left with nothing. My children and I struggled to meet even our most basic needs, including the seeds needed to plant millet for food," she shared. Maponde faced additional challenges due to climate-related issues like frequent droughts and floods, which made life even more difficult. However, CARE Zimbabwe’s START4Girls project, funded by Global Affairs Canada