Gina was born and grew up in a small village in the community of Cabula, Larde district.
As an adult, she moved to Tibane and, with her husband and five children, Gina supported her family through farming – growing and selling cassava, peanuts and beans. Despite her efforts, the family’s income rarely exceeded 7,500 MZN ($117) per harvest, which did not meet the household’s basic needs.
In 2008, through a KMAD income-generation initiative, Gina and five other women received a loan of 14,000 MZN ($200) and training in sewing. The group began producing sample bags for Kenmare, securing a stable and steady market. In less than a year, they paid off the loan.
Now, the sewing business provides Gina and her partners with a monthly income ranging from 100,000 to 130,000 MZN ($1,600-2,000). With this income, Gina not only built three brick houses, but also invested in a large six-hectare farm, ensuring food security for her family, and increasing her harvests.
But perhaps Gina’s greatest achievement lies in the opportunities she has been able to provide for her children. With the earnings from sewing, she covered the schooling costs for three of them, who now attend both primary and secondary school. Gina is much more than a farmer or seamstress – she is a symbol of hope and transformation in her community