Gershom Ministries International in a non profit making organization based in Zimbabwe and is seeking funding for various projects.
One such project is listed below in the organizations concept paper.
Project Title: Capacity Building and Training of NGOs, Government on Private Sector Development Partnership thereby improving the Livelihood for Small Holder Farmers and Small to Medium Enterprises
At its most basic level, the key to ending extreme poverty is to enable the poorest of the poor to get their feet on the ladder of development. The development ladder hovers overhead, and the poorest of the poor are stuck beneath it. They lack the minimum amount of capital necessary to get a foothold, and therefore need a boost to the first rung” Jeff Sachs.
Contact Person
Mr Alex Mukwewa – Programme Director
Email : gmitdirector@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION AND INTIATIVE SUMMARY
GMIT is a non – profit making organisation whose mission is to offer efficient and effective services to
Dis advantaged communities to enhance their physical well being and development.
GMIT was registered in 2010 to enhance quality of life, create employment for youths, women and vulnerable groups and communities.
GMIT will devote its resources to community deve lopment in the area of agriculture,
health, education, infrastructure development, water and sanitation, disaster management and income
generating activities.
BACKGROUN INFORMATION:
Since 2008 the Zimbabwean economy has been growing steadily. However the gap between the poor and the rich has widened thus excluding the poor from participating in the economic growth of the country.
Agricultural production has been low especially among small holder farmers thus affecting their livelihoods.“
At its peak agriculture contributed to as much as 30% of the GDP as well as being a
Significant employer of human effort…Yet it is far more numerous farm workers who have suffered most as their jobs have disappeared…
From 2000 to date, production of maize declined 79 %,wheat 90 %,soya beans 66%,citrus 50%,fresh produce 61%, dairy 59%, beef 67%, coffee 92%,tea 40%, …In 1980 agricultural sector contributed to 14% to the GDP ,grew to 20,4 % in 2001,but fell to 12,5% in 2012 ..”
(September 19, 2013, News Day
–
Agriculture: The Tale of Zimbabwes sleeping giant) .
In most urban areas people have engaged in informal sector employment due to lack of formal employment as most agro based and manufacturing companies have closed .
The key assumption is that the poorest of the poor cannot take advantage of market opportunities without first getting help in achieving the “first rung”.
Increased Development Assistance funding from richer countries is needed to break into the first
rung.
With over 42 % being communal farmers and 21% being early resettled farmers in Zimbabwe any financial support rendered would result in very largeincreases in national production
and productivity. The small holder sector requires temporary, stronger financialsupport to unlock its
potential. The key to unlock the poten tial is huge cash injection to rejuvenate sagging fortunes of the once buoyant sector and mitigate the effects of perennial hunger.
Investments through mechanisms like microfinance, direct relief, and support to the public budgets
Is sufficient to raise the average capital stock so that growth in capital exceeds population growth and depreciation, the vicious cycle of poverty trap could be flipping into a vicious cycle of economic growth. Knowledge transfer will increase business and agricultural revenues.
Household incomes are depressed from low agriculture yield and high losses of productive time because of lack of access to clean water and poor health. In addition, corruption steals from the public budget and the lack of a regulatory framework reduces Investment and economic growth, destroy public
infrastructure such as roads, power, education, and healthcare. International Aid without a good regulatory system can also lead to corruption.
The MDG goals should increase household income, reducing extreme poverty and hunger as a result of the intervention strategies
PROJECT AIMS AND
OBJECTIVES: The project seeks to improve The capacity of NGOs, Government on private sector development partnership to address the challenge of increasing vulnerability, food insecurity
And unemployment within the small holder farmers and SMEs community.
This project will also create knowledge, capacity build technical and material support for beneficiaries to engage in meaningful livelihoods activities.
The project will promote social services sector and private sector development partnership so as to ensure ownership and long term sustainability.
The strategy will be economic strengthening and it aims at enhancing employment creation, income
generating activities and the general livelihoods of households THEORY OF CHANGE
GMIT will implement the programme as outlined below:
Phase 1 : Creating awareness, consciousness and buy in of stakeholders including setting up of coordinating structures.
Phase 2 :
Facilitate a paradigm shift in NGOs and Government through training programs
.
Phase 3 :
Facilitating the engagement of private sector as partners in value chaindevelopment, inclusive business and inclusive finances.
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