Blessings Enterprises

On the 16th of October 2004 eight women from disparate churches came together and brought their heads together, shared ideas and started a project. They called it
“Blessing enterprises”, one of the members noted that, this project was named after the members had discovered that it was going to be a blessing to them and even other people. She explained that, apart from generating income, the group members had also realized that this project was going to touch many lives which includes orphans, widows and other underprivileged groups in the community.

Mrs. Nkala, a widow and a member of the group stated that their project is a blessing to the HIV/AIDS victims, which they have so far managed to reach out to. Blessing enterprises is therefore a sewing project, which specializes in making work suits. It has a total number of eight female members and amongst these there are four widows. Members contributed money, which they used as initial capital for the project. Mrs. Nkala also expressed her grateful sentiments to the Church noting that the materials that they used to start the project came from the church. The group has four hand sewing machines and one electric one. Members of the group work everyday from 9am to 4pm. They close shop during weekends. Mrs. Nyoni also a member and chairperson of the group said that,“The purpose of this project is to empower women with coping strategies and survival skills in our harsh economic environment”.

Another member of the group further commented and said, "If one can dream it they can do it". She thus noted that this strengthened them as a team and helped them to press forward. In operating they take orders from people and make work suits. This approach to business has helped them to avoid making any losses.

They scout for their clients in industries. The group intends to open a factory in the next two years. Habakkuk 2:2-4 [.... write the vision and make it plain upon tables, so he may run that reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie, though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not delay… but the just shall live by faith.]. Mrs. Nyoni noted that they have a dream to become the nation’s biggest clothing industry. In spite of these big dreams the group appreciates the fact that there is a time for everything and that success in a never-ending story that starts from humble beginnings. They therefore, intend to find a room within the City of Bulawayo where they can be operating from in the mean time because they are currently operating in a room that they were offered by one of the group members.

Mrs. Nyoni also noted that the project apart from helping them to get money to support their families has also helped them to build networks of integrity and also to reach out to orphans and widows in the Church and the entire community. To end Mrs. Nkala noted that, projects have opened doors to wonderful moments for women. Women chat, share their life experiences, encourage, teach, pray, sing and strengthen each other during difficult times and they have managed to live and work in one spirit.

Other Projects in Southern Region: