Revolving Fund for Zimbabwean Young Humanists

by Thelma Munyoro

Designed to foster self-sustaining community resilience through practical action. The project began with a modest grant of $280, intended to seed a vegetable garden operated by three young members: Martha Makayi, Gift Madzibiri, and Natasha Mumbi.

This project emerged in response to widespread food insecurity caused by the 2023–2024 southern African drought, which severely affected Zimbabwe. It was designed not only to improve local food access but also to create a revolving fund, a self-replenishing pool of capital that would enable future youth-led sustainability projects.

2. Project Objectives

  • To establish a self-sustaining vegetable garden managed by youth humanists.

  • To create a revolving loan fund that would continue supporting community projects.

  • To promote local food security, youth empowerment, and mutual aid.

  • To strengthen grassroots humanist cooperation in response to climate and economic instability.

3. Implementation Summary

3.1 Establishing the Garden

The three recipients pooled their small individual loans from the revolving fund to lease a small plot of land near a borehole in Harare. They cultivated spinach, kale, tomatoes, and onions, fast-growing, drought-resilient crops well-suited to local conditions.

Roles were clearly defined:

  • Martha Makayi – Crop planting and pest control management.

  • Gift Madzibiri – Harvesting and market outreach.

  • Natasha Mumbi – Financial record-keeping and loan repayment monitoring.

The team used part of the funding to purchase seeds, tools, organic compost, irrigation materials, and packaging supplies. Training notebooks and signage were developed to guide the process and improve community visibility.

3.2 Community Engagement

The project held an open-day meal and demonstration, inviting local residents to learn about urban gardening, organic pest control, and mutual aid principles. This engagement helped the project gain local support and potential buyers for its produce.

4. Budget Utilization

Item Description Amount (USD)

  • Seeds & Seedlings Tomatoes, kale, spinach, onions $30

  • Tools & Equipment Hoes, gloves, watering cans, buckets $40

  • Organic Compost & Manure Soil enrichment $25

  • Water Access Borehole use and drum refills $35

  • Plot Rental (6 months) Land lease in Harare $30

  • Packaging & Transport Crates, bags, bicycle hire $25

  • Training & Coordination Notebooks, guides, airtime $15

  • Marketing & Signage Handouts, banners, chalkboard $20

  • Pest Control Buffer Organic pest nets and sprays $20

  • Community Outreach Meals Open-day refreshments $20

  • Contingency Weather, repairs $20

Total $280

5. Achievements and Outcomes

5.1 Food Security and Community Impact

Within four months, the garden began producing a consistent yield. Vegetables were sold at below-market prices, improving access to affordable food for over 20 local households while maintaining a small profit margin for reinvestment.

5.2 Youth Empowerment

The three youth leaders demonstrated strong teamwork, accountability, and transparency. Through their coordination, they gained practical skills in agribusiness, financial literacy, and cooperative management, which are core competencies for future community leadership.

5.3 Revolving Fund Growth

By September 2025, 50% of the initial loan capital had already been repaid, with full repayment expected by December. The revolving fund is now poised to support a new microproject, a youth-led soap-making business that will begin in early 2026.

5.4 Visibility and Replication

The initiative has attracted interest from nearby youth groups who wish to replicate the revolving fund model in other neighborhoods of Harare. Discussions are underway to develop a second cycle of projects that may include solar lighting micro-enterprises and school garden programs.

6. Challenges and Lessons Learned

  • Water access was occasionally limited during dry weeks, prompting the group to consider drip irrigation or rainwater harvesting for the next phase.

  • Inflation and fluctuating transport costs required close financial management.

  • The team emphasized the need for stronger record-keeping tools, possibly digital in the next cycle.

These lessons have strengthened the structure of the revolving fund and improved accountability for future recipients.

7. Sustainability and Next Steps

The revolving fund mechanism ensures that the grant will continue circulating within the community long after the initial project ends. Each new loan recipient will sign a repayment agreement and undergo short training sessions led by previous participants.

The Zimbabwean Humanists plan to:

  • Document the revolving fund model for replication in other Humanist Mutual Aid Network communities.

  • Develop a peer-mentorship program linking youth-led initiatives across southern Africa.

  • Expand the fund to include renewable energy, sanitation, and education-related microprojects.

8. Conclusion

The Revolving Fund for A New Zimbabwean Young Humanists stands as a successful model of practical humanist mutual aid, demonstrating how even a small grant can catalyze self-reliance, cooperation, and hope amid hardship.

This initiative has:

  • Transformed a small $280 investment into a continuing source of community capital.

  • Built the capacity of young leaders to design and sustain ethical, human-centered enterprises.

  • Contributed to food security, skills development, and shared humanist values of reason, compassion, and solidarity.

Through this project, the Zimbabwean Humanists have proven that sustainability begins with trust, shared work, and the courage to act locally.