By Panashe Kaseke
In a remarkable turn of events, the resilient women gardeners of Mukuwapasi village in Rusape have received a significant boost to their efforts.
Well-wisher Teresa Makurumidze has donated 5.4 hectares of land, and the W Effect organization has donated oil processing machinery and a feeder mixer to aid their projects. This generous gesture marks a new chapter for the women, who have been striving to sustain their community through gardening since 2005.
The donation comes in response to the challenges highlighted in an earlier Bustop TV article (https://bit.ly/3LAmW6d), which brought attention to the difficulties faced by the Rusape women gardeners in marketing their products, securing land, and accessing necessary inputs. The newfound support is set to transform their operations, enabling them to expand their projects and increase productivity.
Hellen Bakare, the overall leader of the gardening projects, expressed her gratitude and excitement over the donation in an interview with Bustop TV.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to Gogo Teresa for her wonderful work,” she said. “The 5.4 hectares of land will allow us to significantly increase our production. We can now include more community members, especially young women and youths.“
“I would also like to encourage other women to consult with their headmen to find unused land and distribute it as we did to ensure food security. This year, we will survive thanks to the donations we received,” she added.
The additional land and machinery will empower the women of Rusape to produce more crops and embark on new projects, improving their chances of finding consistent buyers and achieving fair prices for their goods. This development is expected to enhance their financial stability and contribute to the overall well-being of the community.
The women are hopeful that this development will attract further support from stakeholders like the government and NGOs. They believe that with continued assistance, they can achieve even greater success and serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges.
As the women of Rusape embark on this new journey with renewed energy and resources, their story remains a testament to the power of resilience and community spirit. With the right support, they are ready to overcome any obstacle and continue thriving for years to come.
