Moses Madyira/Theresa Zibowa

CHIKOMBA—The Women’s Bank Chief Executive Officer, Mandas Marikanda was in Chikomba last week where she launched the bank’s loan programme.

Some 1 000 women applied for the bank loans a day after the launch, Chikomba Ward 8 councilor Learnmore Mufamba confirmed to The Mirror. The purpose of the launch was to give women full details on how the loans work and what loans are on offer.

The loans applied for were for projects like horticulture, poultry, sewing and boer goats rearing and the criteria for consideration included grouping people in groups of three to nine, and also individuals with collateral so the bank will be guaranteed it gets back its money. Marikanda encouraged applicants to apply in groups as they stood a better chance compared to individual applicants.

One specific thrust of the Bank is to empower rural women, said Marikanda.

“The bank is willing to work with the community here and we will give loans to start self-help projects. The bank will support women who apply in groups ahead of those that apply as individuals,” said Marikanda. 

The Women’s Bank was launched by Government in Ntamasheche Ward 8 of Chikomba District with the mandate to minimise poverty in rural areas.

The programme was launched at Hitler Hunzvi Primary School and a high-powered delegation attended including Mashonaland East Minister of Provincial Affairs Apollonia Munzverengwi and Chikomba West MP John Mangwiro. Marikanda came to Chikomba courtesy of an invitation by Mufamba. 

Mangwiro urged women to heed to President Mnangagwa’s call for citizens to engage on self-help projects.

Munzverengwi encouraged every household to have a nutritional garden. She distributed some seeds that comprising rape, carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers to about 1 100 beneficiaries.https://masvingomirror.com/