Yvonne Marimo from Zimbabwe is taking the leadership diploma program at the Coady. (Richard MacKenzie photo)

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As Coady International Institute participant Yvonne Marimo talks about successes in her work, her face lights up.
For the Zimbabwean, that work is with the Self Employment Women’s Association of Zimbabwe and the success is in empowering women.
“Absolutely,” she said about the delight she takes in it.
“To see the transformation that happens from when they first join the group, when they’re timid, quiet, not able to even speak about themselves. And then to see them stand up, speak up and share what is going on in their lives. Sharing their experiences and questioning things, challenging things and not just accepting the status quo. For me, it gives me a lot of gratification.”
Marimo’s association supports women in Zimbabwe with not only small loans to help them start businesses, but also to provide them with the tools and skills to make their ideas and support pay off.
“We also provide capacity building in terms of basic business skills,” she said. “This is very important in enabling them to manage the funds that they get. And we try to facilitate access to markets so they are able to sell the products they produce.”
Marimo said she joined the association because it delivers the kind of services she is passionate about.
“I believe very much in economic empowerment for women,” she said.
“I believe it’s not enough just to give them all the other rights, political, religious, when they don’t have economic empowerment. All those are critical in enabling them to improve their livelihood and those of their families.”
Marimo talked about women trapped in abusive relationships or abandoned by their husbands as two situations where her work is critical. She also noted the hurdles faced by those affected by HIV and the historical obstacles that are still all too visible.
“Participation by women in the financial sector has been minimal… historically it has always been like that,” she said.
“Most women, especially in developing countries, have been stuck in the informal sector, not the formal sector. So what we are trying to do is advocate to bring them to financial institutions and help them acquire more funds to grow their business and sustain it.”
Marimo took two programs at the Coady in the spring – community-based microfinance and livelihoods and markets. She is now in the leadership diploma program and she talked about her motivation and goals.
“I find myself in a position of leadership,” she said. “It’s critical in my work that I need to be able to lead, and not just by example, I need the tools, knowledge and framework to speak about an increasingly complex world.”
Communication skills are a big part of her goals at the Coady.
“I need to advocate on behalf of these women,” Marimo said. “And that means interacting with politicians, interacting with financial institutions. So I need that confidence and the background and knowledge to do that properly.”
Marimo said she made a couple of attempts to come to the Coady in the past before finding her way here this year. She said she is excited about the principals of what the Coady stands for and being part of that effort.
“For me it’s about co-operation, about collaboration,” she said.
Marimo is also enjoying her time in Antigonish and while locals may be complaining about the frequent rainy days and not knowing what to wear as they start their day, she is finding the unpredictability refreshing.
“I love it,’ she said, a smile coming across her face almost as big as when she talks about her work.
“The fresh air, the little chill, the rain, everything… the weather is so unpredictable. Sometimes it’s rainy, sometimes it’s sunny, but I just love it. It’s a beautiful place, I’m just amazed.”
It can be a sharp contrast to the hotter and drier climate of her home country.
Marimo said she is even looking forward to when the really cold weather comes and brings with it the fluffy white stuff.
“I’m looking forward to experiencing the winter,” she said. “Seeing the snow and really finding out what it’s like.”
She also talked about the people she has met and the sense of community she feels in Antigonish.
“I really didn’t expect that,” she said.
“I expected it would be a very individualistic society where people would be busy with their lives. But, actually, people do take time to stop and talk to you. I find that very different from other places I’ve been to. I’ve been to the UK, the U.S., but this place is almost like an oasis.”
Marimo said one thing she is really enjoying is a simple walk around the St. F.X. campus.
“The campus here is so beautiful,” she said. “I just love to walk around looking at things… the buildings, the garden.”