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Herald Correspondent 

In a bid to improve the welfare of low-income earners in both the urban and rural areas of the Mazowe North constituency, the ruling Zanu PF party leadership has availed different projects including provision of loans and poultry production. 

The Covid-19 pandemic affected many livelihoods of people especially those who depended on informal trading.

 Some of the affected people were vendors who could not continue operating viably even be after the Covid-19 lockdown. 

However, through the financial assistance that is being rendered to the community by the Member of Parliament in Mazowe North Cde Campion Mugweni, hundreds of women have so far managed to get back to business with the injection of various stimulus loan packages from the legislator. 

This intervention coincided with the opening of the tobacco selling season in Mvurwi. This is the period when most informal traders make profits by selling different wares and products to farmers.

Cde Mugweni’s US$10 000 loan facility came in handy as many traders mostly vendors were able to boost their stocks.

Loans co-ordinator in the MP’s office Ms Blantina Gwangwava confirmed that 200 vendors will benefit from the loan facility.

 “We already have airtime, fruits and vegetable vendors as well as those in flea markets in our system records who previously benefited from loan facilities we offered. 

“This time around, we are also injecting some cash to boost their business capacities by disbursing loans starting from as low as $20 to $100 so that we include everyone since the majority of the society is comprised of people who survive on buying and selling; our target being mainly for the low-income earners,” she said. 

In the rural parts of the constituency more than 3 000 women have so far benefited from the poultry project where they are getting indigenous poultry chicks for free.

This is aimed at improving household food and nutrition security.

“The Covid-19 pandemic presented several challenges for everyone. For women, this has been one of the most difficult times to secure food for the families. As a long-term measure, we have availed this poultry project in which we are targeting every household to benefit. 

 “We have managed to at least distribute chicks to more than 3 000 women in the rural parts of the constituency which include areas like Chigwida, Rwere, Madombwe, Bare, Jingamvura and Chinehasha. 

“Besides addressing the negative effects of Covid-19, the projects are also aimed at fulfiling our electoral promises in line with Vision 2030,” said Cde Mugweni. 

A beneficiary, Mrs Silvia Chari said she was happy to be to be part of the projects that help uplift women. 

“These projects are good for women and help cement support for our party. Our party is targeting to mobilise 5 million votes for our President Mnangagwa in the 2023 elections, and this a good foundation for that,” said Mrs Chari.