At HOCIC, we believe in the power of collective action to drive sustainable change. That’s why we’re proud to partner with KinderNotHilfe on the Self-Help Group (SHG) program, which is empowering underprivileged women across rural Zimbabwe.

These homogenous groups of 15-20 women meet weekly, pooling their small savings of just $0.50 per member. But the impact goes far beyond the ledger – it’s about cultivating financial discipline, accessing affordable credit, and leveraging social capital for mutual support and growth.

To date, 82 SHGs have been established, reaching 1,394 direct beneficiaries. The women have started diverse income-generation projects, from farming to mining to cross-border trading. This has led to tangible improvements in household incomes, food security, and children’s education. Capacity-building on business skills has further empowered them to scale up and thrive.

Most heartening are the stories of women venturing into traditionally male-dominated fields like brick-making, challenging gender norms and earning newfound respect in their communities. The SHG program is truly transforming lives and communities, one woman at a time.