Gunya Orange Group

The four female members of the Gunya Orange Group are running various small scale businesses in orde to generate an income and support themselves and their families. The members of the group live in neighbouring villages and are engaged in activities such as small-scale farming and poultry rearing.

Group member, Charity Mazai, is a single mother of 4. She lives in Gudza Village on her parents' little plot of land. All her children go to school, which is why she must work tirelessly to raise money for their school fees. Charity has been engaged in small-scale farming for almost 8 years. She mainly grows vegetables. On a monthly basis, she buys seeds and fertilizers for $240. She works in the field daily with the help of hired labour. Collectively with other farmers, they supply their produce to Mbare Musika every fortnight. On average she sells her produce for $1000. Currently she is maintaining her garden very well and she uses a water pump for irrigation. With previous loans she has accessed through local microfinance organisation, Thrive, Charity has managed to rent another plot of land which is closer to the river, making it easier to water her crops. She is applying for a loan of $400 this time to enable her to buy better quality vegetable seeds and the necessary agricultural inputs to encourage a good yield.

Please note that Zimbabwe is at present going through a severe economic recession and that there is an additional risk that some of the loans might be delayed or defaulted.

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