mastercraft

New to many, unusual but some believed in new possibilities, this is a story of Masimba Bunu, a 20-year-old male and Sthembiso Maseko, a 24-year-old female, who have experienced a bumpy road in starting up their businesses but through the Trade camps their lives will never be the same again as they have started reaping positive results. Young people have been part of trade camps that sought to capacitate them with both theoretical and practical learnings through skills transfer from master crafts. The trade camps were done under the Safe and Inclusive Project, led by Plan International. For Bunu who is into poultry farming, the road has not been easy as for a long time since the genesis of his chicken farming he has been experiencing losses due to lack of knowledge. Bunu who attended the trade camps has realised positive returns after implementing skills attained from the trade camps. “Since attending the insightful trade camp on chicken farming l have been selling more chickens than l had been before. I have increased the number of chickens I keep, therefore my profit margins have also increased,” he said. He aspires to have land of his own where he would expand his poultry business. “Right now, l have very limited space to operate from, l wish that l could find a bigger space where l will be able to build structures suitable for chicken rearing,” Bunu said. For Sithembiso Maseko who is a recent graduate from catering through the trade camps has not had it easy as well, but has managed to find ground as she is planning on starting her catering business soon. Maseko once had a catering business which did not do well till its closure but with the help of SAIC she has gained skills that has helped her to rekindle her dream. “I have been attending trade camps and other trainings and l can safely say they have made a huge difference in my life. They taught us communication skills, business management and basic life skills among others,” she said. “For now, l have started baking muffins as a way of penetrating the market and I am hoping that my skills will help me build a successful business,” Maseko added. Poultry and catering services are among many ventures that many young Zimbabweans have turned to in order to make an honest living. Young people in the country have also started small businesses as a way of creating jobs for themselves.