An introduction to the group

The Batsiranai Fathers of Disabled Children are lead by a steering committee of seven men who represent eighteen other fathers of disabled children. The group has also invited widowed mothers of disabled children within the community to be a part of the group. Almost all of these men lost their livelihoods as a result of the Government of Zimbabwe’s Operation Murambatsvina. These men were welders, carpenters, builders, woodworkers, locksmiths, bike repairmen, weavers, barbers, candle and shoe makers -- and had the tools of their trade taken or destroyed by the government's "clean-up" operation. Many also had their homes destroyed. Without the tools of their trades, they are now unable to utilize their talents and practice their livelihoods -- but they have a sincere desire to again contribute to their family’s income and well-being.

The majority of these men’s spouses are generating income through crafts and handiwork as part of the Batsiranai Craft Project, an established and empowering initiative supported by Rokpa International. Inspired by the fact that their wives were working together so successfully, this ‘fathers group’ began meeting in December 2004. In the group’s first meetings, the men were interested in how they might reduce the stigma surrounding people living with disabilities. Disabilities are poorly understood in Zimbabwe, and it is not uncommon for a father to abandon his wife and newborn child when the child has a disability -- blaming either the wife or voodoo for this 'defect.' This 'shameful' view of disabilities is often shared by extended family and the surrounding community.

After the detrimental effects of Operation Murambatsvina in May 2005, the concern of the group turned to income-generation, and in October 2005 they decided that a poultry project would be a beneficial way to empower the group and build income.

In November 2005, I was asked to become the group’s volunteer technical advisor. By the time I was referred, the project was well in motion. The group had already sourced a quotation for the necessary poultry-related items to begin the project, including day-old chicks, feed, and vaccines. The seven members of the steering committee provided me with minutes from their recent meetings which detailed the group’s election of the steering committee, a chairman, a secretary, and a treasurer.

During our first lengthy meeting, it was evident to me that these men have creativity, passion, and a sincere desire to help their children – both via a livelihood pursuit and by helping to remove the stigma associated with disabled children. I feel privileged to be a part of this group, and sincerely believe that they simply need a ‘kick-start’: to be provided with an opportunity that – with hard work and dedication – they could turn into a reality.

Beneficial discussions and actions followed in subsequent weekly meetings. After receiving a business plan template, the group had discussions regarding necessary inputs, marketing, risk factors, and financial management. A group review of relevant resources from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the Network for Smallholder Poultry Development, and the Kyeema Foundation enabled beneficial conversations regarding the delegation of necessary project responsibilities, and the sourcing of technical, poultry-related project guidance. Members of the steering committee were recently selected to lead working project groups: construction, vendor relations, marketing, security, stores management, day-to-day operations.

Further, the group discussed the ways in which the creation of a group identity might both contribute to team-building and also serve a role in marketing. These discussions lead to the creation of an introductory brochure to provide the group's mission and values, along with a listing of the goods and services that they are able to offer. We hired an artist to help create the group's logo, a visual embodiment of what they wished to portray -- a father proudly pushing his child's wheelchair in the open. This pride is further embodied in what the group members call each other: Baba Paul, Baba Mutsa, Baba Sipaphile… as in "Father of Paul…"

Most recently, during the first week of April, the group received funding from Rokpa for a three-day training course offered by the Small Enterprise Development Co-operative. This lead to an action plan, and helped them to materialize their business plan. Market research is now being conducted in order ascertain poultry and egg price points, and a memorandum of understanding is being finalized with a local school where the project will take place.

At present, the group is excited about the momentum of the project, and we can all envision a time when things are not so bad – because now, zvinhu zvakapresa (things are tough). Many group members are especially excited about the time when this project will enable them to again practice those skills and talents that used to bring their families income. They know the benefits that will emerge from hard work and group capacity-building – after the group has created savings, they will have both financial and social capital to share.