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By Wellington Zimbowa
“Don’t give a man fish rather give him a fishing rod,” goes the old adage.
Thus total poverty eradication hinges on sustainable social safety interventions such as the government’s Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) which caters to vulnerable children such as orphans, a programme that remains a vital cog towards a broad-based socio-economic development agenda matrix.
Although criticised in some circles, the education safety net has produced prodigies such as Hardson Nyadombo, whose building practical training at secondary school proffered him a launchpad for his promising entrepreneurship project in professional carpentry.
As a rural boy born in Nyanga, his life was characterized by misery and poverty after he lost his parents at a tender age. To him getting food was rare, let alone education fees, and he often moved from one family to another as a herdboy for him to earn a living.
But thanks to the government’s BEAM programme complemented by some well-wishers and some family members, a new chapter was heralded in his life.
In an interview with this publication, the youthful Nyadombo revealed that despite being his own boss, his company Bold Vision Carpenters is guaranteeing sustainable livelihoods for some families. He hailed the government’s BEAM safety net scheme and support from other development agencies for getting him to where he is today.
“Life was a bitter pill for me following the death of my parents at a very tender age. Food became a scarcity and let alone money to for education since there were other siblings to take care of. I am grateful for the assistance from some of my relatives, teachers, and community members.
“However that was never enough as nothing could have guaranteed access to my education and I would like to thank the Government of Zimbabwe for availing the Basic Education Assistance scheme.
“This catered for my education from primary up to form 4, paying for my 6 ordinary level subjects and I also added two more subjects for my final ordinary levels,” he added.
Zimbabwe emphasizes access to basic education and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 emphasizes inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Upon successful completion of his ordinary-level studies, that practical orientation inspired him to pursue journeyman training after completing his Advanced level studies on his own, obtaining a professional qualification under the Higher Education Examinations Council (HEXCO) board.
In response to the dire employment situation currently obtaining together with the desire to give back to the community through proffering solutions, Bold Vision Carpenters was established in 2018 offering carpentry and construction services.
Roofing, truss designing and supply, painting, and shop partitioning and designing are some of the cutting-edge products that are being highly sourced from individual and organisational clients around Zimbabwe.
Perhaps there is always a better ending in life where character, vision, and determination are the benchmarks.
At birth, his name pointed to a bitter life. The name Hardson is translated to mean a hard life for a boy child, him also being the eldest, and the surname ‘Nyadombo’ has connotations of hardness.
Today, Mr. Nyadombo is confident about being a supplier of choice in carpentry and construction needs despite business hurdles characterized by the current operational macroeconomic environment.
Diligence, expertise, honesty, and convenience are the factors that set him apart from other competitors, he highlights.
Although based in Harare, the company has positive references across the country. It also supplies timber to customers with free transport for those within the 40-kilometre radius.
However, the young entrepreneur is optimistic that government will continue assisting emerging entrepreneurs such as him through specific accommodative policies such as tax and other regulations relaxation while expanding capital loan facilities.