Some trips inform you. Others change you.
My recent visit to Zimbabwe with World Vision’s Strong Women, Strong World Beyond Access program did the latter. What I saw was not simply a development program at work. I saw women gaining confidence, families becoming stronger, and communities beginning to reshape their future.
One local leader described the journey in a way that stayed with me:
“We were gender aware. Then we became gender sensitive. Now we are gender intentional.”
That shift in thinking is changing lives.
Starting With Women
The Beyond Access approach places women and girls at the center of development while building on World Vision’s work in clean water access and economic empowerment. As infrastructure projects bring clean water closer to communities, training begins immediately. Couples participate in Biblically Empowered Worldview and gender equality training. Women take part in leadership development and economic empowerment programs that teach practical skills for generating income. By the time water arrives, something important has already taken root. Mindsets begin to shift.
Women who once believed their opportunities were limited start to say:
“I can.”
Soon after, they begin to say:
“I have.”
Confidence grows. Skills develop. Opportunity follows.
When Women Are Equipped, Families Change
One woman shared a statement that has stayed with me:
“I am no longer a beggar to my husband.”
Income changes relationships. Through savings groups, small business training, and collective enterprises, women begin contributing financially to their households. As that happens, tension within families often decreases and partnership grows.
The women also spoke openly about their hopes for their children:
- Educating them
- Keeping girls in school
- Giving daughters the skills to build businesses of their own
Their vision for the future reaches far beyond themselves.
A Garden That Changed Everything
During our visit we returned to the Wilikisa Simanyene Nutrition Garden, a project we first saw in its early stages the year before. Today the 3.7 hectare garden is thriving and managed by 24 women and 3 men. With fencing, irrigation, and clean water made possible through World Vision’s work, the garden produces green peppers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, maize, sugar beans, and carrots. The harvest feeds families and generates income from surplus produce.
For many members, this is the first reliable income they have ever earned. Yet the impact reaches far beyond finances. Before water access, women and girls walked long distances to fetch water several times each day. These trips were exhausting and sometimes dangerous. Today clean water is within 50 to 100 meters of their homes. That single change has freed time and energy that can now be invested in farming, businesses, and family life.
Faith’s Story
One of the women I met was Faith, a 27 year old mother of two young children. Before water access, daily life was difficult. She carried the responsibility of collecting water and firewood while caring for her children and managing the home. Fetching water required long walks to the river, sometimes through areas where hyenas roamed. Today the water source is less than 100 meters from her home. That change opened new possibilities. Faith joined the community savings group and began contributing regularly. After a year she used her savings and interest to purchase a donkey, which she now uses to plow the garden.
Income from the garden and her clothing resale business allows her to:
- Pay school fees for her daughter
- Support household needs
- Invest in additional inventory for her small business
Faith now serves as secretary of the garden group, a leadership role she once would not have imagined pursuing. She also shared something deeply personal. Before the program, needing to ask her husband for money often created tension. Now she contributes financially to the household. Her husband helps fetch water. Their relationship has improved. Her progress has strengthened her entire family.
Women Lifting Others
What stood out most during our visit was the spirit of collaboration among these women. The garden group shared that one of their future goals is to support people in their community living with disabilities. Their desire is not only to succeed themselves but to help others succeed as well.
Many members have also started additional income generating activities such as:
- Baking and selling bread
- Running small shops
- Buying and reselling clothing
- Selling cell phone minutes
- Raising livestock
One lesson they emphasized repeatedly is the importance of multiple sources of income. Diversifying income creates stability. Only a few years ago many of these women had no income of their own. Today they manage savings groups, businesses, and agricultural projects together. Working collectively has strengthened what each individual woman can accomplish.
Clean Water Opens the Door
During the trip we also witnessed the drilling of a borehole that will bring clean water to another community. Access to water changes daily life in immediate and lasting ways.
When water is close to home:
- Girls stay in school instead of spending hours collecting water
- Women have time to pursue income generating activities
- Gardens produce food throughout the year
- Household nutrition improves
- Families grow stronger
Clean water creates the foundation for opportunity.
A Moment I Will Never Forget
One of the most meaningful moments of the trip was meeting Begazella, the six year old girl my family sponsors through World Vision. She greeted me with confidence and joy and recited a poem she had prepared. Together we planted a tree and named it Joy. In just a short time she filled my heart with exactly that.
Child sponsorship is deeply personal. It is more than providing support from afar. It is choosing to walk alongside a child as they grow, learn, and discover who they can become. Begazella reminded me why this work matters.
A Future Already Taking Shape
The women I met in Zimbabwe are not waiting for change to arrive. They are creating it.
Women who once had no income now run businesses.
Women who once lacked confidence now lead community initiatives.
Families are stronger. Children are in school. Communities are moving forward.
Their determination is changing what is possible for the next generation.
Join Me in This Work
Ending extreme poverty is possible. But it requires people who are willing to step in and help create opportunity. Programs like World Vision Strong Women, Strong World Beyond Access demonstrate what happens when women gain access to training, leadership development, and essential resources like clean water.
Women rise.
Families stabilize.
Communities grow stronger.
You can be part of that transformation. Sponsor a child. Support clean water initiatives.
Invest in programs that equip women to build businesses and lead in their communities.
Every step forward begins with someone choosing to care. After seeing this work firsthand, I am convinced of something simple and powerful.
When women are empowered, entire communities rise.
the Author
Gina Buser
CEO and Founder
Gina Buser is the CEO and Founder of Traveling Coaches, an education and talent development consultancy headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Under her visionary leadership, Traveling Coaches has become a trusted partner for law firms worldwide, empowering and educating talent, implementing large technology initiatives, managing change, and influencing behavior. In 2019, Gina expanded her vision by founding Alterity Solutions, a sister company aimed at serving additional verticals. Their mission is to empower and educate individuals, elevate clients through engaged and thriving employees, and ensure that everyone wins.
A frequent speaker and mentor, Gina is recognized for her thought leadership and contributions to the legal industry. Her accolades include Woman Business Owner of the Year (National Association of Woman Business Owners), Thought Leader of the Year and Consultant of the Year (International Legal Technology Association), 40 Under 40 (Dallas Business Journal), Infinitely Beyond (Convene), and Influential Women in Legal Tech (ILTA).