Mothers Give the Gift That Gives Back

We are very excited to update our supporters at GlobalGiving this holiday season on the successes and new initiatives of Mothers Support Groups in Zimbabwe as they work to keep children in school and foster change in their communities.

We are also delighted to share that thanks to your support, we are almost halfway to achieving our goal to help Mother Support Groups keep 3,750 children in school!

Mothers Changing Their Communities

Mother Support Groups are comprised of mothers and grandmothers who are committed to supporting the educations and aspirations of children in their communities. They strive to give children the educational opportunities that many of the women never had. Group members band together to come up with income-generating ventures that will help provide school supplies, uniforms and fees necessary for needy children to attend and stay in school.

Thanks to your generous donations, Mother Support Groups are able to continue their important work and we’re pleased to share the achievements of Starlight Mother Support Group in Chikomba East District, Zimbabwe.

Starlight Mother Support Group

Established in 2006, Starlight Mother Support Group, which is made up of 12 members, is an entrepreneurial group with a proven record of working to safeguard not only the future of children in their community, but also the wellbeing of their whole community and beyond.

“Mother Support Groups sacrifice a lot. They sacrifice their time and their money. They could use their money to do other things but they choose to help children who are suffering. They have become role models to other women in the community.”

-- Mr Chizema, School Headmaster, Chikomba East District.

In 2008 a seed grant from Camfed allowed the group to grow and provide food for their community members who were struggling to feed their families. More recently, in 2011, the group started a chicken-rearing project with a grant from Camfed. The project’s success has enabled the group to expand their income-generating activities.

This past June,  the group was contracted to cater a Chikomba East district high schools’ sporting event. Charging $1 per plate, Starlight Mother Support Group supplied meals – which included some chickens from their chicken-rearing project – for over 200 people. To date, the success of their income-generating activities has allowed the group to provide 40 needy children with exercise books, socks and uniforms, soap and maize. This support ensures that children can attend school well fed and with confidence in their appearance and ability to participate fully in school.

For Starlight Mother Support Group members, every day is an opportunity to give gifts to others around them and enrich their own business and entrepreneurship skills in the process.

Thank you for supporting Mother Support Groups throughout 2011 and particularly during this season of giving. We look forward to updating you on Mother Support Groups’ dedication and efforts to unlock a brighter future for children in their communities.

• Seasonal MSG Report 12/19/11 (PDF)