Janet Chihlangu (48), a mother of three children and widow, is a successful business woman operating in Chimanimani district, Manicaland province. But Janet was not like this before. She used to be a vendor who was barely making enough money to sustain her family.
“I was struggling to make enough money to pay for my two boys who are still in school. The elder one is studying with Mutare Teachers College and the younger one is doing A level at Ndima Government High School,” says Janet.
Janet’s life has significantly changed after she received training in agro-processing, market research, record keeping and cost-benefit analysis from PELUM-ZWE member, Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation (TSURO) Trust. Immediately, Janet ventured into peanut butter processing.
She raised US$500 as capital and bought 120 buckets of unshelled groundnuts. Within a period of five months, Janet had sold over 2,000 jars of peanut butter and generated more than US$1500.
Janet used her experience as a vendor as well as the knowledge she had acquired through trainings provided by TSURO Trust to dominate the peanut butter market in Chimanimani. In a short space of time, she had made a name for herself.
Janet is now supplying seven shops in Mutare and the Rusitu Mission Hospital with peanut butter. Her brand name ‘Simukai peanut butter’ has gained popularity in the Rusitu valley. It has captured the hearts of cross border traders popularly known as ‘majonijoni’, who come to buy Janet’s peanut butter in bulk for their families.
Janet says the income she makes from selling peanut butter has improved her standard of living and given her a sense of comfort, security and peace.
“Since I began processing and selling peanut butter I have managed to buy a wardrobe, kitchen utensils, a fridge, and make timely payment of school fees for my children. I now have peace of mind because my finance are now secure. My sons are happy as their school fees are paid on time,” says Janet.
Janet has intentions to further expand her business.
“My target is to supply all the shops in Rusitu including Rusitu High School. Eventually, I want to build my own shop. I am also aiming to educate my children to the highest levels they deem necessary,” says Janet.
She encouraged other women especially widows to explore and take advantages of opportunities that can empower them and make them income secure.
“Widows can do greater things and prosper in life. I encourage them to venture into multiple projects especially those that enable them to be flexible with their time so that they can also rest and spend more time with their families,” adds Janet.
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