SKI Charities

Archive for Harare

Empowering Transformational Female Leaders

In a previous post, “Why Focus on Women?,” we discuss the importance of SKI Charities’ focus on empowering female entrepreneurs and providing education for young women. In the traditional communities of developing countries like Zimbabwe and Chile, where SKIC works, already-marginalized women are often made powerless by circumstances of conflict and unrest, with men historically and culturally standing as the heads of households. To counter these unfortunate standards, the SKIC team directs its efforts toward women to level the playing field and to tap into the entrepreneurial spirit and leadership potential that we believe all women possess.

Mrs. Annia of Mutare used her SKImfi microloan to begin, and expand, a vegetable business.

Mrs. Annia of Mutare used her SKImfi microloan to begin, and expand, a vegetable business.

Our world needs more female leadership – and not just because women are currently underrepresented in formal and informal leadership positions worldwide. Unlike men, who tend to have a transactional leadership style, marked by incentivizing good performance and maintaining order and flow in a workplace setting, women tend to be transformational leaders. According to Alice H. Eagley’s New York Times article “Hybrid Style Works, and Women are Best at It,” a transformational leader “acts as an inspirational role model, motivates others to go beyond the confines of their job descriptions, encourages creativity and innovation, fosters good human relationships, and develops the skills of followers.” This leadership style has shown to be most effective in modern workplaces.

The interpersonal relationships and motivational attitude that transformational leaders bring to their environments are ideal for fostering economic and social growth, and for multiplying the efforts of SKI Charities. With each transformational leader we empower, we hope to send a ripple effect through countries, so that countless more women emerge as leaders, driven to transform their communities and workplaces.

Faces of SKImfi: Prudence K.

When Prudence and her SKImfi group members gather for business meetings, they begin each session with a chant: “High high, it lifts you high. SKImfi lifts you UP!” Prudence K., a 30-year-old mother of three, launched an electrical supplies business after attending a Selection, Planning and Management workshop with SKImfi Zimbabwe.

She accessed a $100 microloan through SKImfi to open the doors. She sells radios, television sets, cell phones, and has recently begun importing solar panels and batteries from South Africa. Through profits from the business, Prudence buys better food, clothing, toys, and medication for her family.

Prudence K., in her electronic supplies store.

Prudence K., in her electronic supplies store.

“I am now proud to associate with other people in the community, as I look very presentable and I am confident in whatever I do,” she says.

Now, Prudence decides how to spend money without her husband’s permission, and she feels that he respects her more because of her independence. Not only does she provide for her family, but she also supports philanthropy in her community. In April, she donated five 12-foot asbestos roofing sheets to her church. Her charity also extends to a widow living at the church, whose welfare Prudence contributes to.

“I hope to do more as my business grows,” she says.

Prudence struggled to provide stable resources for her family before this business venture. Married at 18 years old and unable to pay college tuition fees, a job was impossible to find. Her husband left for South Africa to look for employment while Prudence was seven months pregnant with her third child, but he was unsuccessful. She says her own mother was her inspiration for starting her business.

“I thought how mother had succeeded in sending us to school through buying and selling anything that had demand,” she says. “She is my inspiration, a strong woman who always hopes for better things. She is still doing business, and now my younger sister and brother are at university. If it had been my father’s choice, we would have not gone to school, especially us girls.”

Prudence attributes her business’ success to the SKImfi team’s training sessions and to the program’s low interest rates. Before she learned of SKImfi, she was faced with exorbitant interest rates from private money lenders, and, with no collateral to guarantee repayment, she couldn’t secure a loan from local banks. Now that her business is steadily building capital, she will not need another loan until she is ready to further expand her business.

“My vision is to become a major supplier of hi-tech goods,” Prudence says. “I will work to buy a house for my family and a pick up truck for my business. I will work to thank my mother for sending me to school.”

A Word with our SKImfi Zimbabwe Field Officer

Our field officer for SKImfi-Zimbabwe discusses his work with SKI Charities and the path that led him to develop a passion for woman and child development.

Causemore Samanga, SKImfi Zimbabwe field officer

Causemore Samanga, SKImfi Zimbabwe field officer

What is your role in SKI Charities? 

My role is to identify prospective loan beneficiaries, those who are struggling to make ends meet and need a boost to increase business profits. Once women are accepted to the SKImfi program, I give them a two-hour training on how to select and plan their businesses. I also assist the project officer with distributing loans. During the loan period, I make monitoring visits to check on their businesses, take pictures and to advise on better ways of doing a particular business.

How have you seen microfinance improve women’s lives? 

A small loan of just $100.00 can tremendously change the life of a household, especially when it is given to a woman, the one who usually manages the household economy in Zimbabwe. I have seen women begin meaningful businesses and position themselves to provide basic needs for their households such as food, school fees, medication, farming inputs and social capital. Women no longer depend solely on their husbands, and husbands see them as equally important. Women’s social status has improved, as they are now able to make financial contributions to their churches, to extended family and to community programs.

What path brought you to this work?

I have worked for community development organizations for 12 years after spending time with Dr. Abigail Bar of Oxford University in research programs on african economics. Through that work and all that has followed, I developed a passion for the development of women and children. By fostering the opportunities for women in Zimbabwe, I am helping to shape the future of a lot of children.

What about your job inspires and motivates you?

I am inspired by the possibility for women to free themselves from the bondage of extreme poverty through engaging in income-generating businesses. Through the 12 years I have been in development work, I have seen those with whom I work transform into successful business women who also have managed to send their children to universities. Among a host of development initiatives in Zimbabwe, I believe microfinance is one of the best ways to transform lives. I enjoy seeing the benefits that this has for community members. I cannot see myself doing a different job in my life.