YOUTHS and women in Hakwata village in Chipinge have applauded efforts by the government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to enhance their livelihoods through the establishment of the Climate Adaptation Water and Energy Programme (CAWEP).
The programme saw the government, UNDP and the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) instal a 200kWp solar photovoltaic and 915 kWh capacity battery bank mini grid, which is crucial in providing sustainable energy to the community.
The renewable energy infrastructure has seen the creation of small enterprises in Hakwata, enhancing local economic activities and providing alternative sources of income during agricultural off-seasons.
The programme has also seen the training of 247 youths in vocational skills for green jobs.
NewsDay visited beneficiaries at Kugara Hakuna Chimuko Village Business Unit in Hakwata, where an elated beneficiary Nyarai Ndlovu (34) could not hide her joy.
“This project, which involves 103 women, 10 men and 35 youths, has uplifted us as youths as we are able to buy and sell,” Ndlovu said.
“We are self-sustaining as we now know how to generate income independently.
“We want to thank those who brought this development as we no longer covet or steal people’s money and goods.”
Reports by the United Nations Children’s Fund have indicated that youth unemployment in Zimbabwe stands at 35%.
Rural women are also part and parcel of the underprivileged groups as they heavily rely on their husbands for sustenance.
In March 2024, the National Association of Youth Organisations indicated that entrepreneurship is the ticket for youths to find their way out of poverty in a country plagued by high joblessness.
Another beneficiary, Ndaizivei Makuyana (48), said the project came when they were struggling financially.
“Since this project came to our community, it has helped us as women and youths to buy and sell tomatoes to earn a livelihood,” Makuyana said.
“We have even managed to contribute to developmental projects in the community such as donating benches to the local school as well as helping the less privileged within the community.”
Chipinge Rural District Council ward 25 councillor Pioneer Gavhumendi expressed delight over the project.
CAWEP is a pivotal initiative funded by the FCDO and implemented by UNDP.
Launched in August 2022 and running until end of this month, the programme aims to bolster the resilience and adaptation capacity of vulnerable communities and institutions in Zimbabwe against climate shocks. -newsda
