Largely unemployed, with no sources of income when asked by an assessment team, the Mufakose communities in central Harare, Zimbabwe emphasized their eagerness to learn ways to earn money, to re-engage the youth and learn how to deal with HIV/AIDS.

The Rotarians from the Highlands Rotary Club in Harare and the Rotary Club of Denver Mile High, Colorado, came together and developed a viable plan to deliver a solution. This came about in the form of The 3 H Grant (Hunger, Humanity and Health) project proposal to The Rotary Foundation. Along the way, more Rotary Clubs came on board and by the time the grant was approved by The Rotary Foundation (TRF) in May 2009, there was strong support from clubs in three Rotary Districts: D5450 (Denver and northeast Colorado), D7120 Upstate New York and D9210 Zimbabwe, Zambia., Malawi & Mozambique.

The community development program: an integrated program that includes both training and facilitation and a structure to monitor and expand the project, was targeted to women, youth and people with HIV/AIDS.

It promoted sustainable development through training and mentoring, with three major areas of focus: Self Help Groups Youth Friendly Corners Living Well with HIV/AIDS

More than 6000 people trained, primarily women; more than 200 Self-help groups operating. Intensive training and follow ups. Year-long support from project officers. Local Rotarian mentors advise and encourage the groups. Self-Help Groups (SHG)

Economic training – bookkeeping and business plans. Leadership skills.

Pooling of personal funds enabling creation of small businesses. Micro- lending to grow saved funds.

Working together to formulate ideas for income generating projects.

Women in SHGs learning computers at Youth Friendly Corners

Poultry rearing and marketing Businesses created…

Sewing

Textile tie-dying

Arts and Crafts

Shoe making

24 corners opened and over 200 youth trained (train a trainer) to operate corners and act as HIV/AIDS peer counsellors. Youth Friendly Corners (YFC)

Computers and other electronic equipment available. Corner leaders have added training in computers usage and maintenance as well as raising funds for more equipment & additional services. Computers at YFC

A self management program for HIV positive people. 36 HIV community members trained as peer educators. 24 Living Well groups meeting regularly. Peer educator program in SHGs too. Living Well with HIV/AIDS

Margaret tested HIV+ and her CD4 count was 41 (normally anti-retroviral drugs are started if the count drops below 200.) She was losing weight, having night sweats and other symptoms, so she started taking ARVs (anti-retroviral drugs) and has no side effects since. She heard about Living Well from a neighbor. In June and July 2010, she went to all 7 classes. It helped her to make a medical log so she would not forget to take her medicine. She also began to associate with others who are HIV+. She now encourages her friends and neighbors to go to the clinic to be tested. Margaret Wazeza is Living Well

If you talk to the people in Mufakose you will hear amazing stories of how this program has made such a difference and the women smile, laugh and walk with their heads high.

“The training has helped us so much; I no longer think of myself as poor. There is richness in what we are doing”

Singing, dancing, praise & worship in the spirit of togetherness and support through the groups.

There are many memories of graduation.

And being part of a community of people that now feels empowered to make changes on their own.

Proud women; who have gained knowledge.

Women of all ages, from different kinds of homes.

Working together, encouraging each other, forming strong friendships and becoming sisters.

Who proudly show their hard work.

And what they have been able to achieve. Little things that make such a difference in their lives and making them feel alive.

Some even building homes.

6000+ went through the business training. More than 220 Self Help Groups created 24 Youth Friendly corners created More than 200 Youth Peer Educators trained in leadership skills spin off beneficiaries from the business activities and capacitation through the project US$ funded by the Rotary Foundation spread over 5 years.

A community of women and young people whose whole outlook towards life has been completely transformed. Now, they talk about having income of their own, being able to feed families, sending children to school and having thriving businesses. These courageous and hardworking women and the brave youths, now walk with a sense of confidence and self-belief. No doubt, for these thousands, the cycle of poverty has been broken. day-at-the-united- nations/ ?term=Global%20women%20of%20action

IT IS A BEGINNING, NOT AN END.