14 Jun 2019
Twenty-eight year old Jenit Chinokoro says her life has changed for the better since joining Women’s Coalition Gweru Chapter in February this year.
Jenit explains that she used to wait on her husband to provide everything before her life changing encounter with WCoZ.
“I am a housewife and before joining WCoZ, I would wait on my husband to provide even basics like sanitary ware. My life changed when I saw an advertisement for soap making in the WCoZ group. I made a decision that I would attend that training and that is the best decision I have ever made.”
Jenit says after the training, she approached her husband for capital.
“My husband is very supportive. He gave me USD150 to buy resources and equipment needed for the soap making project. From that, I realised a profit of USD500.”
Jenit has established a market with wholesalers from as far as Kadoma and also supplies general dealers in the rural areas.
“I receive bulk orders of 30 boxes at once. My market includes wholesalers from as far as Kadoma and I also supply small shops in rural areas like Lower Gweru, Chiundura and Tongogara. Currently, my biggest challenge is that I am failing to meet demand because I am operating manually and from home.”
Jenit revealed that it is her dream to expand her small business and start employing other women as a way of helping them improve their livelihoods.
“My vision is to expand my business, get a larger operating space, buy digital equipment and start employing other women,” she said.
Besides the soap, Jenit also produces petroleum jelly, washing powder and dishwasher.
The soap making project has helped her change her lifestyle.
“With proceeds from this project, I have been able to buy sofas from TV Sales and I have also changed my bed. I am very grateful to the Chapter Secretary who introduced me to this excellent organisation,”
Jenit further explains that besides the entrepreneurial skills she gained from WCoZ, she has noticed that she is now more assertive, more independent and is also now better able to relate with other people through the various funded and non funded meetings she has attended.
“I believe knowledge is power. Fellow women should make every effort to participate in programmes that aim to empower them. It’s not always about money, knowledge is key.”
