My name is Nthabiseng Ncube. I am a 24-year-old single mother of a five-year-old daughter who currently lives with my mother in Solusi Rural Area. I come from a family of seven siblings, and due to our family’s limited income, life was difficult while growing up. We learned to work from a young age because we wanted to contribute to our family’s wellbeing.
I moved to Bulawayo to live with my brothers at my aunt’s house, where I worked as a fuel attendant before losing my job. I later joined a network marketing company as a health consultant, but I struggled because I lacked marketing skills. Joining the KS-YARC Project became a turning point in my life.
Through the project, I have gained valuable knowledge in agriculture, marketing, and financial management. The African Money Map sessions taught me how to budget, save, manage money wisely and plan for my future. I realised that financial success is not determined by how much money one earns, but by how well it is managed.
The team-building activities also helped me develop important life skills. I learned to work effectively with others, respect different opinions, resolve conflicts peacefully and appreciate the value of teamwork. These lessons have positively influenced both my participation in the project and my relationships at home.
This project has given me positive direction in life. Many young people in my community are trapped in drug abuse, prostitution, alcohol abuse, or abusive relationships because of unemployment. I have chosen a different path and hope to become an example of what young people can achieve through hard work and determination.
Since childhood, I have dreamed of becoming a successful farmer with my own plot where I can grow vegetables, rear cattle and produce broilers and layers. Thanks to HOCIC, the Government of Zimbabwe and Barnabas Aid, I now believe that this dream is becoming a reality through the training, mentorship and practical skills I am receiving.
I am particularly excited about the upcoming training in vertical farming, which will enable me to maximise production using small spaces. In the coming years, I see myself as a successful young agripreneur who is able to support my family and inspire other vulnerable young people in my community. I firmly believe that with God, nothing is impossible.
