Local NGO reaching out to women, girls

Tracy Moyo

VICTORIA FALLS – A local non-governmental organization, Reach Out Trust has been hailed for its commendable efforts at improving the welfare of girls and women. The NGO’s philanthropy has also been extended to other vulnerable members of society such as the elderly, orphans and widows.

Prior to registering as an organization in March 2021, Reach Out Trust was founded by 45 year old Isaac Dube, who started helping Victoria Falls residents in September 2020.

Reach Out Trust is diametrically opposed to child marriages, gender based violence, domestic violence and drug abuse and has therefore committed concerted efforts and resources towards fighting these social ills.

Speaking to this publication, Dube shared his organization’s modus operandi with regard assisting women and girls.

 “Our primary targets are the rural girls and women. We empower women and teenagers by equipping them with tools to be self reliant as we also endeavour to nurture their leadership skills. We also impart life skills such as sewing, cooking and farming,” he said.

According to Dube, one of the organization’s success stories was wrought in Lubangwe, a community area sandwiched between  Victoria Falls and neighbouring Hwange. He said the women in the area benefited immensely as they received financial management training. 

” We were able to form self help groups that do saving and lending. A total of 400-450 women in Lubangwe are subscribed to the program. We continue to avail more business knowledge for them so that they become completely self sustainable,” said Dube.

Administration Accountant often Reach out Trust , Lumuno Mutale  revealed that at present, the teething NGO has no external funders and is self-funding.

 “We do not have any donors at the moment and we therefore fundraise internally  to help the underprivileged. We donate the little we have hoping it goes a long way in helping the needy,” she said.

In yet another example of reaching out to the girl child, the organization held a life skills training that sought to empower team members of Kasambabezi netball team, which is based in Chinotimba. Thandiwe Ndlovu, a team member, was upbeat about the team’s prospects of fundraising following the important training, courtesy of the NGO.

” Reach out Trust has really done a great job on us and we are very thankful. We are now acquainted with life and financial skills which will boost our efforts in raising funds and be financially independent,” said Ndlovu.

Sjabuliso Moyo, a resident of Victoria Falls attested to the sterling work that the NGO is doing especially in the reduction of child marriages in the area. 

 “Child marriages, teenage pregnancies and drug abuse are declining as a result of projects introduced by Reach Out Trust. Our girls are now being kept busy and occupied by productive activities such as sewing, cooking and farming. This is really helpful to our children,” said Moyo.

Another resident, Anele  Nyoni summed up the work of Reach Out Trust by saying,  ” Women are empowered to be financially independent, gender based violence is being fought, vulnerable members of society such as orphans, the elderly and widows are getting assistance. Long may it continue.”