“The gravy train is moving now. Don ’t be left out. ” Mrs A. Mnangagwa, patron and founder of Today ’s Women ’s Banks.

What coalition has been built, what has this achieved and why it has been effective?
300 words

Today ’s Women ’s Banks is made up of ten community banks of which eight are in Zibagwe Rural District and  Kwekwe.
Honourable Member of Parliament, Mrs A. Mnangagwa, the founder and patron of these banks had a dream of women coming together to alleviate their socio-economic challenges by mobilizing their meagre resources to establish a large pool of funds to finance their income generating projects and to save their earnings at an interest. Many women in the district are enjoying the benefits of this bank and theirs livelihoods have tremendously improved and poverty is a thing of the past in these women ’s families. Mrs P. C. Zhou, the coordinator manages the projects through the supervisory and management committees. The banks were established between end of 2013 and 2014. Total contributions including interest amounted to $250000.

In addition to generate funds through joining fees, contributions, levied interests and grocery contributions. The community banks have established;

?    ZimASSET Tagarika Housing Cooperative the high way to transform members from tenants to homeowners.
?    Flea Market Construction and Management  – Rural bank members have been offered land by Zibagwe Rural District Council to construct and run flea markets.
?    Events and Amusement Park Management. Preparations are underway to rehabilitate the now desolate Kwekwe Prince Park.
?    Agriculture- Gardening and drying vegetables, Poultry and Piggery projects.  
?    Kitchen Top ups. Some members used the bank to build and develop their homes. In solidarity and support, fellow members party and bring gifts in appreciation of the splendid work done.
?    Fundraisers; dinners, 
?    Advocacy, e.g. 16 Days of Activism, etc.
?    Chenaimoyo HIV Support Group.

These projects have helped women from various backgrounds to move from poverty, timidity, inactiveness to innovative, resourceful and confident citizens of Kwekwe. A determined and self- motivated team with good administration management systems and a well drafted and followed constitution have made all this possible.