雅歌私塾的部落格

轉載自     Youth Employment Summit 2006, Bulletin 1.

September 13 - 16, 2006 Nairobi, KENYA

The Youthful Farmer Who Grows Mushrooms For a Living

BY MERCY WAMBUI

Chido Govera (r), an orphaned lady from Zimbabwe, talks to her donor (Gunter Pauli) about the success of her mushroom

business during the ongoing Youth Employment Summit. She’s accompanied by her foster mother Margaret Tagwira.

The story by young Zimbabwean girl about developing a sustainable livelihood program was perhaps one of the most emotional and practical presentation at the YES Kenya 2006.

Chido Govera, while making her presentation proved to the world that we can succeed and economically empower ourselves regardless of the misfortunes we face in life. At 20 years old, she is a heroin who despite going through a tough childhood, is determined to make it in life. Orphaned at 8 years and left with a 6 year old brother in the hands of her 80 year old grandmother, Chido had to take the responsibility of a father, mother and sister all rolled into one.

With nobody to support her, she had to take care of her elderly granny and her brother who needed food and education. It was tough and she had to sacrifice her education to concentrate on her loved ones. At 14 years old, a research scientist Margaret Tagwira started a project on mushroom production. Fifteen orphaned girls were recruited at Africa University inn Zimbabwe for a certificate course in Mushroom Production under the sponsorship of Zeri Foundation. Regardless of their age and level of education, the scientific concept of mushroom was well explained and the girls graduated. Like many countries in Africa, 13 of the 15 young women got married.

Margaret, in fear of losing all the girls so young for marriage, took in the two to her house for mentorship. She became a mother and a teacher to the girls and taught them life skills as well as mushroom production. Six years later and Chido is the only girl in the group of initial 15 who only believed that marriage was not a priority. Her success in the mushroom production business has proved that people need education but it is not enough without the skills.

“I want to get educated but I need to acquire more skills and work together with orphans and youth in the community through mentorship programmes.” She says with her eyes lighting up. Chido is set to graduate her “O” levels in three months time at Odzi High School. Chido is a success story from Africa, like if we could have more of her the world will be a better place. Being orphaned at a tender age is the norm in Africa, especially where HIV/AIDS is killing both parents.