Francisca Machayasimbi – Zimbabwe

Francisca Machayasimbi – Zimbabwe


Date: December 17, 2015
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She is now able to give financial aid to relatives and friends

The financial freedom I attained through entrepreneurship training brought social development into my life,” asserts Francisca Machayasimbi.

Gender Links (GL) encouraged Francisca Machayasimbi to work hard and have the leverage to take care of herself. She responded positively and stopped relying on other people for survival. The decision she took saw her escaping from the abuse that was deeply rooted in her reliance on her husband for survival. She vividly recalled how she used to yearn for good food and trendy clothes but lacked the capacity to afford them. The training empowered her and she can now afford anything that she desires.

Machayasimbi narrated her tale of abuse that kept her a prisoner for many years until the day she met GL. When she married her husband she moved in with him to his parents’ home. Her in-laws despised her, regarding her as inferior to their son. Her husband took his parents’ side and turned against her.

When they failed to resolve the issue it got worse and they separated. Machayasimbi left with her two children. As she was hustling to establish a source of income for herself and the children an idea occurred to her. She realised that people who visit the local clinic were in need of cotton materials and methylated spirits which were in short supply at the health institution. She managed to raise US$ 260 through that trade. She also established a vending stall at the school entrance selling food stuffs to the school children and her business boomed and she realised US$ 360.

Machayasimbi used her savings to set up a tuck-shop trading in groceries and second hand clothes to survive. Her relatives helped her to set up her tuck-shop and she was glad that with hard work she managed to start her own business. There were several problems that threatened the continuing existence of her business ranging from finance and managerial know-how to unfair competition.

When her business was on the verge of collapsing she encountered Gender Links and benefited through the entrepreneurship programme. The entrepreneurial skills she obtained rescued her business from collapse and took it to the next level of production. She implemented her newly acquired skills and the business grew and started realising significant profits.

The business is still small and she is looking for financial aid so that she can realise her desired results. Nevertheless, her new-found financial freedom has brought social development to her life. She managed to furnish her house and she can now meet her basic needs and most importantly buy trendy clothes so as to look presentable in public.

Machayasimbi is now taking care of the extended family as relatives rely on her for survival. The entire community directly benefits from her because she buys in bulk and makes goods affordable to the low income earners in the community.

Going forward, Machayasimbi has plans to develop her tuck-shop into a fully established grocery shop or wholesaler. FC Tuck-shop is now a trademark in her community and she gives credit to GL because it is the organisation that empowered her with the entrepreneurial skills that brought significant changes to her personal life and the entire community.

 

 


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