Kundai* is a young woman of 18 years. Her life took a sudden turn when her father died 5 years ago, and she had to drop out of school. Her mother could not afford to take care of Kundai and her siblings as her father was the bread winner. She had no option but to join a group of commercial sex workers in the neighbourhood.
“I was desperate to raise income for my family. Life as a prostitute was not easy; I sacrificed my health and my future for very little money. Young as I was, I could not negotiate for safe sex and I ended up getting pregnant at the age of 16.” Said Tendai fighting back tears from her eyes.
Being a young mother, Kundai struggled to raise her baby boy. Her family was starving, and she decided to move out of the family home with her child. “Life became even more difficult as I stayed with other sex workers. I suffered Gender Based Violence (GBV) at the hands of older men who forced me to have unprotected sex – some refused to pay for services rendered. I feared for my life!”
One of the sex workers heard about the DREAMS project from a Community Health Worker (CHW) and decided to share with her colleagues. The news changed Kundai’s life up to this day. “I decided to enquire more about the project, my life was miserable and I did not want to continue living like that. I was referred to the Dreams Project Officer who implemented activities targeted at sex workers. As she explained the project to me, I felt I had met the right person who was going to help me transform my life.” Kundai was encouraged to join the DREAMS Club where she was taught about entrepreneurship, she was also referred to DREAMS partners like PSI where she received reproductive health information and HIV Testing Services (HTS).
Upon further screening and qualification for economic strengthening, Kundai was trained in saving and lending techniques (ISALs), she then joined an ISAL group where she borrowed start-up money for her business. “I started by buying and selling small items like socks, ladies’ pants and boxer shorts. Within 3 months, I expanded my project to include clothes, shoes and handbags. I am happy with the profits.” Kundai encouraged her peers at the market stall to join the ISAL group where they are saving $20 USD every week. The group is also a platform to share information about entrepreneurship, SRHR and HTS. Many of her peers have since abandoned commercial sex work and joined the group.
Her mother is at peace, “DREAMS project transformed my daughter’s life; I never thought one day she will leave sex work be an entrepreneur. I now have peace of mind knowing that she takes good care of the family and that she is no longer at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections.
Kundai was further trained in baking and catering at Mutare Vocational Training Centre. She dreams of a brighter future, “I hope to start my bakery and confectionary where I will also empower my peers to start their own businesses.”
*Not real name