Chasing away poverty

Poverty; having to depend on neighbours’ mercy and only surviving through government pensions, are yesterday’s story for 60 members of Masingitha Arts and Culture Club which started four years ago in Masimini.
The club was established in 2010 and officially became active last year. T
he majority of the members in are men and women from the township who want to ensure that they also have something to eat before going to bed every night.
They do make traditional attire from different cultures including traditional shoes and bead work which they sell to make profit.
Jennifer Mathibela, founder of the club, says she started the club after she realised that many families in the area live in poverty and the youth get involved in criminal activities that rob them of their brighter future.
She adds that the members of the club have different skills including music, sewing, baking while some of the young people are gifted in fixing computers and also offer free computer basic training to some of the members.
“Our aim is not only fighting against poverty but to always keep healthy,” says Mathibela.
Before they start working they first pray and then stretch their muscles by exercising.
Speaking about the club’s dreams, Mathibela says they wish to have a centre where they can do their work and once completed, display it to attract more customers.
Mathibela says they invite everyone who is interested in joining the club to come and be part of the group that fights to better the lives of the unemployed youths in the township.