The Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA), in partnership with Bread for the World, has launched a pilot economic empowerment program for its community hubs through income-generating projects. The initiative has already seen significant results, with some of the hubs producing and selling a total of more than 400 punnets of mushrooms.

The project was established from the realisation that, alongside advocacy and peace-building skills, communities needed sustainable ways to generate income. After a nationwide consultation with its seven hubs (Gweru, Hwange, Plumtree, Chinhoyi, Masvingo and Lupane), ZCA identified mushroom cultivation as a viable venture with high demand across the country.

In an interview, the Executive Director, Reverend Useni Sibanda, confirmed that the project is already underway and they have delivered 1,005 ready-to-fruit mushroom kits to the respective hubs. 

"We have delivered 1,005 ready-to-fruit mushroom kits across our hubs. Gweru received 255 kits, Lupane 300, Chinhoyi 300, and Plumtree 150. Masvingo is finalising its nursery and will join the project shortly,” he said. 

Rev. Sibanda emphasised that the project's core goal was to build long-term sustainability. 

 "We hope this initiative will help our hubs generate income for their day-to-day lives. The idea is that the mushroom project generates money for them to start their own personal projects, moving beyond dependence on external funding,” he said. 

He stated that the project is a direct response to economic challenges, providing the hubs with the initial capital injection needed to grow and establish other viable local businesses.

"Times have changed. We are not only looking at having communities that can speak for themselves but we also want them to be entrepreneurs,"  said Rev. Sibanda.

The impact on the ground is already evident. Beneficiaries have already started praising the project for diversifying the hubs' work and creating tangible benefits. Pastor Taona Tavengahama of the Gweru hub shared his experience. 

“We welcome this initiative. It has created employment opportunities for our youth. Currently, we have employed two people responsible for watering and nurturing the mushrooms. It might not be a lot of money, but they now have something to do rather than being idle on the streets,” he said.

The project's commercial success is also clear. Pastor Tavengahama mentioned that they are receiving a lot of orders and the demand is good for their newly birther business. 

“Business is booming, and we are being overwhelmed by demand. We have sold 583 punnets and are already in the process of purchasing another batch of mushroom kits to increase production,” he said. 

To manage the high demand, the Gweru hub has organised itself into efficient groups for supply and distribution. The revenue from initial sales is being directly reinvested to expand the enterprise, demonstrating a sustainable and growing business model.