Portia Sebata, a 46-year-old single mother from Tshibhidzanani Area, Makakavhule Village, Ward 6 in Beitbridge, is one of the women whose livelihood has been transformed through the Self-Help Group (SHG) Approach supported by the Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT).
Following the death of her husband, who had been the main breadwinner, Portia was left responsible for providing for herself and her 21-year-old son. With no reliable source of income, the family faced significant challenges in meeting their basic needs. Food insecurity and limited economic opportunities made it difficult for Portia to support her household and plan for a sustainable future.
On 19 May 2025, Portia joined the Pfulupfelo Self-Help Group after CYDT introduced the SHG Approach in her community. The approach brought women together to build a culture of saving, access small loans from their collective savings and invest in income-generating activities. Members agreed to save US$0.50 per week, demonstrating how small and regular contributions could create opportunities for women who often have limited access to formal financial services.
After ten weeks of saving, Portia accessed her first loan of US$90. She used the loan to start a broiler chicken project, purchasing 25 broiler chicks and two bags of chicken feed worth US$80. Despite losing four chicks during the first production cycle, she successfully raised and sold the remaining 21 chickens, generating a profit of US$60. This initial success encouraged her to reinvest in the business and continue expanding her poultry project.
Since then, Portia’s business has grown significantly. She has increased her production from 25 chicks to 100 chicks per batch, and the project is now operating smoothly and providing a more reliable source of income for her household. The growth of the project has strengthened her ability to meet her family’s needs while also giving her greater confidence in her capacity to run and sustain a small business.
CYDT’s contribution has been central to creating the opportunity through which Portia was able to begin this journey. By introducing and supporting the Self-Help Group Approach in her community, CYDT facilitated a platform through which women could collectively save, access small loans and invest in livelihood activities. The approach is particularly significant for women in rural communities who may face barriers in accessing conventional financial services and start-up capital.
Portia’s experience demonstrates the practical impact of the SHG Approach in strengthening women’s economic resilience. Her journey from struggling to meet her family’s basic needs to managing a growing broiler enterprise illustrates how access to collective savings mechanisms, small-scale finance and community support can enable vulnerable households to build sustainable livelihoods.
What began with weekly savings of just US$0.50 and a first loan of US$90 has developed into a poultry enterprise producing up to 100 broilers per batch. Portia’s story is a powerful example of how CYDT’s community-based interventions can translate into tangible improvements in household livelihoods, economic empowerment, and resilience.