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, provided a new opportunity. The initiative focused on addressing harmful gender norms by giving adolescent girls and young women, including those with disabilities, access to education, vocational training, and economic empowerment. 

Through the program community members learned new ways to approach long-held stereotypical beliefs. More than that, the project aimed to create real, lasting change—enabling community members to generate their own livelihoods, while ensuring that girls could stay in school. 

For Cathrine, this was a lifeline. She joined a Village Savings and Lending Association (VSLA), a community-driven initiative that would change her life. Alongside 37 other members, she received essential training in business and financial management. Despite initial scepticism from others in the village, Cathrine took a leap of faith and became part of the Simukayi VSLA group and this was a catalyst for her transformation. 

“We were given 70 Sasol Indigenous chickens to rear and sell. The chickens laid many eggs which became a valuable commodity, allowing us to generate income through selling them at the local market. We sold a crate of eggs for $5 to non-members and US$4 to group members for hatching.” Cathrine said. 

Cathrine’s success grew from that humble beginning that has her rearing 275 birds, along with four cows, 15 goats, turkeys, and guinea fowl. Her son also plays an active role in running the family’s enterprise. 

“My 22-year-old son helps me manage everything, and now, he too has a steady income,” Cathrine says, her smile bright with pride. “Thanks to the VSLA program, my life has been transformed. Today, all my children are in school, well-fed, and our future feels secure.” 

Even in the face of potential challenges—like the predicted El Niño drought—Cathrine remains resilient. “This year, we harvested seven 50-kg bags of millet. We are better prepared than ever to weather any storm.” 

For Cathrine, what was once a life marked by hardship and despair has transformed into a future brimming with hope and possibility. “The VSLA program has truly given me the tools to build a sustainable future for myself and my children. I want to encourage other women who might have faced my situation not to despair, but to know that women are also able to do what men can do," she said.