News

Another Successful Year for Youth Businesses in Zimbabwe

During 2011 our Oasis team in Zimbabwe has been focusing on developing income generating projects amongst youth.  Twelve young people were selected in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe to participate in an initial project to learn about breeding chickens. The first batch of chickens reached maturity in August 2011.  With experience gained and lessons learnt they have now progressed to a second batch and they are working tirelessly to make the project work. A key factor in the success of the project has been the young people’s ability to work as a team.  A big story of transformation is taking place with these 12 young people who have decided to do something about what the world says about them. This team has made up their mind to see their lives turned around no matter what comes their way.

 Below is an extract from a letter written to Oasis by one of the beneficiaries of the project:

“Despite the challenges such as lack of electricity to provide warmth for our day old chicks we managed to press on through. One thing we were not worried about is that we already have a start; we already have capacities, talents and direction as members of our group. We have managed to maximize the opportunity that had knocked at our door. And one thing that has driven us is that we have a vision and a legacy that needs to be left in our community. We have gone through certain challenges such as discouragement, frustration and being despised, but we have endured and followed through.”

 The team now has two chickens’ runs. The first one has capacity for 200 chickens. The second one that the team constructed is a bigger and can house 388 chickens. They used their own resources to construct this run. For roofing they used some PVC sheets, which will cover the chickens from the sun but not the rains. The team have installed 4 four torches in strategic positions for night feeding.

What excites us at Oasis is the fact that there is total ownership of the project; the team has taken their destiny into their own hands. There are using their own resources to grow the project. On the second production the team produced 300 chickens, Oasis gave 100 chickens, and they have constructed a bigger run with their own resources.

06-Jan-2012