A group of 10 women from the Vusweni community under the Nkomiyahlaba Constituency received a major boost on Monday, as they were gifted vegetable seedlings to support their farming efforts.
This uplifting initiative was led by One Billion Rising Eswatini, with backing from the MTN Eswatini Foundation. The women, who are passionate about vegetable farming, will now be able to expand their gardens and grow more produce for food and income.
The seedlings were delivered during a special event at Vusweni, where community members and local leaders gathered to celebrate the gesture. This support is part of a bigger movement focused on community empowerment.
Funds used to buy the seedlings came from businesses that had already succeeded with support from the MTN Eswatini Foundation. These businesses, after becoming profitable, chose to give back by sharing resources with other communities that are still in need. This model of ‘give-back and grow together’ is now spreading hope across the region.
These groups are required to generate profit and join the One Billion Rising Community Circles Savings and Credit Cooperative to support business expansion. They are also expected to empower other groups by encouraging them to do the same.
WOMEN THANKFUL FOR SUPPORT
Speaking on behalf of the women’s group, Xolile Gama, one of the farming project’s representatives, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support.
“We are thankful that we can now wake up and go to the fields. This will help prevent gender-based violence (GBV). Staying at home and not doing anything contributes to GBV,” Gama said.
Her words reflect the deep connection between economic empowerment and social protection. When women have access to income and purpose, the risk of abuse and violence at home often decreases.
In this case, farming is not only about putting food on the table, it’s about restoring dignity, building confidence, and giving women a way to shape their future.
