Lawrence Makotore, aged 28 years, a youth from ward 20, under Musikavanhu Irrigation Scheme in Chipinge District was part of the youths who attended a fencing, welding and metal fabrication practice course at Rio-Tinto Agriculture College. The course was funded by the Smallholder Irrigation Revitalisation Programme to empower youths with vocational skills. After he completed the course, he managed to construct a functional maize mill, a mill for crushing sorghum and mill for processing peanut butter (dovi) as well as wire/fence weaving machine.
Makotore was engaged by a local businessman, John Mandundu’s to provide fencing for his homestead which has a perimeter of approximately 600m including the gate. The youth went on to create employment for his fellow youths by engaging one of them to assist him in his business. Makotore managed to raise US$1500 and managed to buy a grinder, welding machine and a generator which he is using in his new enterprise.