BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
An organisation of single parents living with HIV is promoting self-reliance by engaging in several income generating activities for their wellbeing.
Not only that, the members also take care of some orphans by sending them to school and providing other needs.
Single Parent Movement for HIV and AIDS, co-founder Tariro Chigango, said they realised that self-reliance was their only hope as opposed to waiting for handouts.
Speaking at the ongoing Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, Chigango said though the journey hasn’t been easy since the organisation’s inception in 2008, they have remained resolute.
“We formed this organisation with Irene Kachinga and Hughs Masvosva in 2008. Our aim was to promote self-reliance to single parents who are living with HIV and AIDS.
“We realised that because of the numerous challenges facing single women and men living with HIV, we had to think of ways to make ends meet.
“We are into different contemporary work; some are into beads, some are into farming and as for me I’m into batik, I’m into printed batik.
“There are several income generating projects which our members are engaged in so that we earn a living for ourselves and children.
“We have so many members and we have since lost count because when there was Covid-19, we had some of our people move to other areas around the country.
“You will find out that we have some in Mount Darwin, some in Guruve, some here in Harare and other places. We have members in many provinces,” said Chigango.
She added that apart from selling various products, the organisation is also involved in training women and school children in various income generating skills.
“They (those who wish to be trained) come to our offices in Harare at the National Art Gallery and there is also an option to be trained at home or anywhere where they feel comfortable with.
“We are doing all this because we want to remain empowered, we do not want to be a charity case,” she added.
Chigango however revealed that it hasn’t been easy, as they have faced numerous challenges, which have threatened their operations.
“It has been difficult for us, especially when it comes to funding, that has been really difficult for us.
“We could do more but unfortunately funding has been the major challenge. Lack of funding has also been a major challenge because others who wanted to get into such projects have also failed to do so.
“We are also facing a challenge of having our own working place so that we can work freely from there and we can do more.”
Despite the challenges they face, Chigango said they have remained hopeful as they have managed to make big strides in other people’s lives.
They have managed to send some orphaned children to school, something which gives them a cheer and the resolve to do more.
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