Dzandura village projects: Renita Masvaya

Renita Masvaya 38, from Dzandura village, Seke, Mashonaland East Province, is involved in goat rearing and she also runs a layers poultry project. She  joined one of the savings groups organised by Self Development Foundation (SHDF)  in her area  in February last year (2016). She says her active participation in the SHDF programs has benefited her. Through her attendance of workshops on economic empowerment and basic life skills organised by SHDF, she was able to save money and invest in her savings group. “I started off investing with as little as $2 per week in my group and I would  get $8 by the end of each month. I didn’t doubt the project, I continued to save till I had enough money to purchase a goat.” After a few months Renita bought a female goat worth $30 and that’s how her goat rearing project started, she now has 7 goats in her kraal. After some months Renita decided to venture into a layers poultry project.

Her poultry project is also booming. She uses the money she obtains from her income generating projects and savings club to pay school fees for her children and for the upkeep of her family. “Running my own income generating projects has given me financial independence as I can now manage to pay school fees for my children without having to ask my husband to do so. Instead of solely relying on my husband to fend for us I now assist him in many ways. My husband is so proud of me, he says he married a real woman”.

Masvaya is planning to engage in cattle rearing in the near future, “I will eventually  venture into cattle rearing, nothing can stop me.” stated Masvaya. Masvaya is a mother of 3 children.