Local organisation endorses Lupane and Tsholotsho women’s dreams, renders financial liberty.

Charity Chikara

Lupane Women’s Development Trust is involved in the training and marketing of baskets made by member weavers which has seen a lot of Tsholotsho and Lupane women attain financial independence.

To enhance their operational sales the organisation engages with Zimtrade to enhance market outreach and also work with many local and international organisations all in a bid to empower the rural based women.

The 200+ membered organisation clocks a minimum of USD$6000 to a maximum of USD$ 8000 per month.

In an interview, the LWDT Director Mrs Hildigard Mufukare said the organisation is women empowerment centered as it strives to give women opportunies to explore their capabilies outside their home chores and gender responsibilies.

She added that to attain this goal they also grow chillies and green vegetables for extra income.

”The weavers make good quality baskets because of the training they get from the organisation and then bring these baskets to the Centre for marketing. This is a project for women empowered”.

”We have 200 active weavers and others who are ovcasional weavers to make a total of 340.

We make about 5000 usd per month although in some good months we have sales of up to 8000usd”, she said.

Speaking in an interview, Mrs Tryphina Mlilo who is a member and beneficiary of the LWDT organisation said on average they make USD$ 100 to USD$200 each per person per month.

”The trust helps us so much as Lupane rural women. I can not recall of any woman who has came to the center and went back home the same. We have been empowered greatly.

Some of us have managed to buy cattle and help cater for our famillies. I am personally at a point where I can single-handedly take care of my family in the unfortunate eventuality that my husband is inabled to. We are immensely grateful for all the assistance rendered to us through this basket weaving initiative”, said overjoyed Mrs Mlilo.

She added that the women are also taught financial management and most have managed to fund their children’s academic endevours, provide basic needs for their families, construct standard brick and mortar houses and invest in other small businesses.