In its second year of implementation, Takunda, a USAID-funded development program in Zimbabwe, launched the Passport to Success (PTS) training for young men and women with the overarching goal of strengthening personal competencies as well as developing skills necessary for an entrepreneurial mindset, and fostering leadership, innovation, and creative thinking for sustainable livelihoods.

The training included sessions on stress management, coping with failure for entrepreneurs, managing conflicts, and decision-making for entrepreneurs, among others, to capacitate and enable them to identify and face daunting challenges. 

In May 2022, a group of 17 youths, aged between 20 and 29 of Ward 15 in Buhera, underwent PTS Training. The PTS training tool kit, according to James Masimba (Takunda Youth Officer), contained 15 modules that support personal development, the conception of business ideas, and the strengthening of capacities to enhance sustainability.  Edmore Mugutso (23), a PTS participant shared, “I am happy with this training targeting us, the youths. It is indeed a step in the right direction in molding well-mannered youths and opening space for youth. Now we can air our views and concerns, ensuring we always have a seat at the table”.

Shortly after the training, self-selection among the youth occurred as they thought of engaging in Income-generating activities. Twelve youths (eight young women and four young men) from the group teamed up and formed an indigenous chicken production project named Mavambo, meaning “the beginning” in English. Using the knowledge gained from the training, they formed a committee and developed a constitution. The department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (Agritex) helped them with broiler production pamphlets in order for them to learn good husbandry practices. One of the youths’ parents offered fowl runs to the group, stating, “I encourage the youths, especially women, not to be limited by cultural expectations of what they can or cannot do.” The group started the project with 24 birds after each member contributed two roadrunners. Parents supported this initiative and Mrs. Charega, a parent of one group member, said, “We are happy for Takunda’s initiative. This will help reduce substance abuse, early pregnancies, burglary, and stock theft in our area”. 

With good poultry husbandry notes and assistance from Agritex, the youth successfully raised their road runners to the point of sale. Afterwards, they sold the chickens at US$8 each, which earned them a total amount of US$192. Due to the intense competition around indigenous chickens, the group decided to shift to broiler production, which is lucrative in their area as it has quick returns. After their profit and loss account calculations, as advised by Agritex, their production cost for 30 broilers amounted to US$125. They will sell the chickens at US$7 and gain a profit of US$85 for the batch.

As a group, their long-term plan is to produce a batch of broiler chicks after every four weeks. A group member, Bibian Mawire (25), said, “We are in the right direction, and I hope the chickens will help us raise enough funds to sponsor each group member with a small start-up kit to start operating independently and fulfill our vision.” 

In a bid to diversify, the group is planning to start saving money in October 2022 through a youth savings and loans association. They hope to use the savings to invest in their dreams and aspirations.