To contribute to the health, wellbeing, and economic empowerment of women living with HIV, Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) in Zimbabwe with funding from the U.S. Embassy Harare, through the PEPFAR Small Grants Fund is implementing a “Sustaining the Health, Wellbeing, and Economic Resilience of Women Living with HIV/AIDS” project in Bindura district.
Awarded in September 2021, the 12-month project is building the capacities of 70 members of Tariro Support group (60 women and 10 men) through training in professional sewing, entrepreneurship, market linkages, hygiene and nutrition, sexual reproductive health and rights, HIV, TB, and COVID19 prevention among other initiatives.
Through the U.S. Embassy Harare grant, Tariro Support group purchased two industrial sewing machines, two over-locking machines, two embroidery machines, sewing garments, and accessories. Leveraging on its community linkages, DAPP Zimbabwe secured a sewing working room at a local primary school and engaged Fashion and Fabrics teachers from neighboring schools (Murembe, Chireka and Muchapondwa) to facilitate the professional training.
Figure 1: Sairodia Muchenje, project beneficiary sewing a garment.
Sairodia Muchenje (49), one of the beneficiaries from ward 13 of Mazarura village in Bindura district views the reskilling and entrepreneurship training as a timely intervention to unlock value for families: “This intervention comes at a time when most group members have been struggling to make ends meet due to the harsh economic environment and COVID19 lockdowns. I used to grow vegetables and sell locally but due to lockdowns and a flooded market, my income declined, and I could barely feed my family. The sewing and business management training is something that will add value to us as individuals and as a group and allow us to start income generation for the benefit of our families and community. So far, we have already started learning the basics from threading and pattern cutting and with time we will be able to sew face masks, reusable sanitary wear, and uniforms that can compete with other products on the market.”
DAPP Zimbabwe Country Director Luckson Soda acknowledges COVID19 has had a major impact on the livelihoods of many Zimbabweans especially women living with HIV: “COVID19 has seen increased pressure on families and women bear the brunt of HIV as victims, care givers, and breadwinners. Through the U.S. Embassy Harare project, we anticipate real value in economic strengthening to increase household income, promote healthy lifestyles, positive living, and wellbeing of the Manhenga community in Bindura district. The project will also provide accurate information, education, and awareness on HIV, TB, and COVID19 to the beneficiaries, their families, and the community at large.”
The “Sustaining the Health, Wellbeing, and Economic Resilience of Women Living with HIV/AIDS”, project in Bindura district is funded by the U.S. Embassy Harare through the PEPFAR Small Grants Fund to improve the economic and social conditions of women living with HIV/AIDS at the local level. The project will directly benefit 70 people living with HIV/AIDS and 350 people indirectly through September 2022.