From Quarry Stones to Spices: How Cash Support Changed a Widow’s Life

By Ronald Magweta (Communications Officer)

In the dusty lanes of Epworth’s Ward 1, life used to be a daily struggle for Mrs Dapira (56), a widow and mother of seven. Like many other women in her community, she earned a living the hard way—by gathering and selling quarry stones.

But thanks to the El Niño Life Saving Cash Project, her story is changing.

“When the project came to Epworth, it changed my life,” Mrs Dapira says. “I am a widow and used to crush stones to feed my family. Now, I no longer do that.”

The cash transfer project, made possible through a $2.7 million pledge from the Government of Switzerland, under the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is being implemented by World Vision Zimbabwe in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe. The initiative is helping over 24,000 people in Epworth who are facing food insecurity due to the effects of the El Niño-induced drought.

Mrs Dapira lives in a small cottage with her children. Although only five of her seven children were registered due to programme limits, the support they received has made a big difference.

“With the cash we received, I started a small spice-selling business with my children,” she says proudly. 

“Now we have something to do to earn a living, and I no longer suffer crushing and carrying stones.”

The family now works together. Sometimes, her children take the spices to other parts of the community to sell. The income is helping them meet their basic needs and bringing hope for a better future.

“I thank World Vision, SDC and the Government of Zimbabwe for this project,” she says. 

“It has really helped us. I pray it continues.”

Mrs Dapira’s journey is just one example of how timely and targeted support is helping vulnerable families bounce back from the effects of drought—restoring not only livelihoods but also dignity and hope.