By Decide Nhendo
Driven by passion, a 23-year-old Masvingo is defying the odds as she is readying self to start training youths and other interested people in detergent making.
While most of her age mates are busy enjoying social life or scrambling to get employment, Constance Mhuru says she decided to start detergent making classes as a way of creating self-employment having never dreamt of working for someone in her life.
Currently she is just making the cleaning detergents at their home in Rujeko where she is making dish washing liquid, pine gel, thick bleach and other toilet cleaners for sale and said she decided to earn a few extra dollars through empowering others.
“For a period of time I have been producing detergents like pine gel, toilet cleaner, deep cleaner for blair toilets supplying in my neighborhood but now I intend to start training others on detergent making,” said Mhuru.
Mhuru said the inspiration came from the need to do her own things and was motivated by other young entrepreneurs who advertise their wares online and that drove her zeal to start her own class to help other likeminded youths who may not have a chance to learn online like she did.
“I am inspired by entrepreneurs who do online trainings displaying how they produce their products online, I also want to motivate ladies so they will come up with their own products and to be able to do their own business and be empowered and stop relying on men or parents,” said Mhuru.
Mhuru also said even though she has been facing financial constraints, it did not stop her to supply cleaning agents to her neighborhood as well as teaching locals and said she was appealing for sponsorship to grow here business and start proper classes.
“The major challenge is finance to purchase raw materials and good space. I am appealing for financial support to grow my business. I need cash to buy raw materials and proper space where I can produce detergence as well as training those willing to get into the trade,” said Mhuru
Mhuru said she learnt to make detergents online watching videos on YouTube and started producing only one product before she started trying others and now she produces a variety.
“I did my lessons on how to produce detergency online with Owami, and after passing the training I started producing one cleaning agent making an order which procured two 20litre buckets.
“I started supplying my first product in Gutu, and within two weeks they were exhausted as people were purchasing them non-stop,” she said.
She said she faced a setback in the long run but was now trying to find her feet again and said she was calling all those interested to get in touch with her and register saying she was going to charge a US$5 fee.
