At the heart of community growth and empowerment lies creativity and collaboration. In September 2024, Swisszimheritage Gallery, located near Domboshawa, Zimbabwe, hosted an inspiring art workshop led by renowned artist Keith Zenda. This workshop brought together women from the local community with a focus on creativity, recycling, and sustainability. The initiative is part of a broader vision to empower women through art, while giving new life to old and discarded materials.

A Creative Workshop with Purpose

The theme of this workshop was centered on recycling, specifically using old Kango pots, cups, and plates as a canvas for the women to create unique artworks. These everyday objects, once discarded, were transformed into stunning pieces of art, demonstrating the power of creativity and resourcefulness. The women who participated came from the Soul Harvest Ministry, thanks to the efforts of Bishop Chapepa, and Tatenda and Jerry from Finding Hope Africa, who helped bring them into this meaningful project.

This workshop is more than just about art—it's about providing these women with an opportunity to learn new skills, express themselves creatively, and potentially create a small income from selling their recycled artworks. Swisszimheritage has taken this initiative solely as a charity project to support the women in the community, and plans are already in motion to make this a regular event.

Looking Ahead: A Showcase of Talent

The next workshop is set for 1st October, where the same group of women will return to showcase their finished artworks. Invited guests will have the chance to see the incredible transformation of everyday materials into beautiful art pieces, and hear firsthand from the women about what they’ve learned. This event marks the beginning of Swisszimheritage’s broader mission to support women across Zimbabwe, empowering them with the tools to create art, recycle, and potentially develop a new source of income.

The Broader Impact: Empowering Women

The initiative at Swisszimheritage Gallery is designed to provide women—both married and younger women who are not yet married—with meaningful activities that enrich their lives. By learning to repurpose materials and creating something valuable, these women are not only contributing to sustainability but also finding ways to uplift themselves and their families.

Swisszimheritage aims to expand this initiative to other communities across Zimbabwe, with the hope of empowering more women through art and recycling. By fostering creativity and entrepreneurship, Swisszimheritage seeks to help women discover new ways to support themselves, build confidence, and share their talent with the world.

Stay tuned for updates on future workshops and events as we continue to support local communities and celebrate the power of art to transform lives.