Women Empowerment Training & Financial Education

A story from Gladys Mutsopotsi Shumbambiri, FWOC Wavemaker, Zimbabwe.

Empowering myself to empower and equip other women on their journey to financial freedom during the Covid-19 crisis.

What triggered you to get started on this adventure??

The desire to empower women for personal and business growth. The need to empower women to be financially independent and have financial freedom. I realised that a lot of marriages were having problems mostly because of financial matters. So I realised the need for women to be empowered to have financial resources. Also, many women who lost their spouses were left stranded after the funeral and some single mothers were facing challenges in raising their children. All these women related problems led me to embark on Women Empowerment Training and Financial Education. I felt the need to offer my skills and qualifications to uplift the life of another woman. I had no hesitation, I was more than eager to go ahead with the project.

Who was supporting / cheering / mentoring you??

I got training from Mustard Seed Advisory in Financial Education. I got household products training from Iraisers and through church trainings. My late mother, Chipo Priscilla Mutsopotsi, was cheering me on. My classmates from Bonda Class of '96 also cheered me on. Female Wave of Change trained me in Women in Leadership. Inspired Women Lead mentored me. International Coaching and Mentoring Foundation trained me to be a Professional Certified Coach. Support from family and friends has been awesome.?

What was the biggest challenge??

Reaching out to many people for physical training during Covid 19. I never doubted my vision. As years went by the vision was coming to more light. I felt the need to continue pursuing my vision and my passion even grew stronger. When I continued pushing, some doors kept opening up, giving me more opportunities to serve. I gained valuable connections, mentors, coaches who have helped in moulding me to become a better version of myself.?

What value did you create for others??

I helped a lot of women believe in themselves and to start income generating projects. One of the women I trained during Covid 19 managed to start her own trust, called Clefra Trust, which is working with orphans. The trust is doing great work in Beatrice in Zimbabwe. I have connected many women to other women who have impacted their lives in a positive way. I have also offered emotional support to women which has helped them to still be standing against life's challenges. I have imparted life skills which are still generating additional income for a number of women.

How are you integrating the learning in your day-to-day life??

I have learnt that you should never give up on your goals as focus makes you achieve. I have learnt to rise above the challenges and to have emotional stability. I learnt that people do matter and I am incorporating this into home, to let my children know that they do matter and to value family life. I have also learnt that more doors open up when you remain focused and stay consistent and this is helping in my home and in my current work and the studies that I am doing.

It gives me joy and satisfaction to know that I have put a smile on another woman's face and that their life is now better through my contribution. I feel grateful for the opportunity to serve other women.?