SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO
Old Mutual Zimbabwe recently held a transformative financial literacy awareness programme at the AFM WISMO (Widows and Single Mothers) Conference, which took place at Rufaro in Chatsworth, Masvingo. The event, which attracted a crowd of about 15 000 attendees, was aimed at equipping individuals, particularly widows and single mothers, with the knowledge to navigate financial challenges and secure a prosperous future.
The session, led by an engaging Old Mutual facilitator, Theodora Chinembiri, captivated the cheerful audience from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Through a series of insightful examples, Chinembiri drew intriguing parallels between the financial habits of various animals and human financial struggles. Drawing comparisons to the behaviours of lions, elephants, and rhinos, Chinembiri explained how these majestic creatures manage their resources in the wild, highlighting the importance of planning, patience, and perseverance. These analogies resonated with the audience, offering them practical lessons on how to approach personal finance with the same tenacity and foresight as the animals they learned about.
The programme was met with widespread acclaim, with both the AFM Church President Amon Madawo and the Secretary General Prosper Muchineripi Charukwa expressing their gratitude towards Old Mutual for the invaluable contribution. The AFM Church President emphasised that such initiatives were crucial in uplifting and empowering communities, particularly marginalized groups like widows and single mothers. “We are incredibly grateful to Old Mutual for this programme, which is not only informative but also life-changing,” said Madawo.
The impact of the programme was also felt by the WISMO members, who commended Old Mutual for taking the time to tailor the session to their unique challenges. Many attendees, predominantly widows and single mothers, praised the financial literacy workshop as a game-changer, with several individuals expressing their newfound confidence in managing their finances.
“It was an eye-opener for me. I’ve never thought about my financial journey in the same way,” said one participant, Constance Masitera. “The comparisons to animals really made it clear how we can all thrive if we manage our resources wisely.”
Old Mutual’s commitment to supporting the community through financial education continues to shine through, as this programme proved to be an empowering step in the right direction for many attendees at the AFM WISMO Conference.