Of hardwork and determination
Gogo Magumbo (73) lives with her two young grandchildren who are in Grade 1 and ECD A. She exemplifies that hard work knows no age, as she committed to ploughing her fields this season. As a beneficiary of three seed variants which are groundnuts, millets, and sorghum distributed by Tsungai Activity, she expressed her gratitude, stating,
“As for this year, I had no seed at all. I had no plan of ploughing anything in my field. I’m not in any position to do menial work for seed, due to aging ailments and the care of my young grandchildren; With the seed given by Tsungai if it rains, there’s a likelihood I may harvest something, as my plants are showing resilience to the harsh weather,”. However, she noted that her groundnuts are struggling due to the heat.
Since her husband passed away in 1992, Gogo has farmed with the help of manual workers, depending on available resources. Her hands, shaped by years of tending the earth, tell stories of resilience, even after a season without a harvest.
Though Gogo was not part of the mechanized farming initiative, she managed to dig the required holes with help from community members. Grateful for the project, she looks forward to renewed beginnings in the harvesting season after a previous season of loss. Despite the challenges, Gogo takes pride in her efforts. “The seeds that germinated are a testament to my hard work, even if some failed due to lack of rain” she said, “tinoramba tichitsungirira nekuti Tsungai yakatipa rubatsiro kuti tirambe takatsunga”. translating to, “We will continue to persevere because Tsungai has given us support to remain determined.”
She is grateful to being able to participate in Tsungai, which is a USAID-BHA funded Activity is being implemented through Linkages for Economic Advancement for the Disadvantaged (LEAD) and GOAL, in Gutu District, Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe aiming to enhance the food security of vulnerable households.
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