Mr. Jaure: I am very proud of my wife

As the leader of a Mother Support Group in Wedza district of Zimbabwe, southeast of Harare, Alice Jaure oversees a group of other mothers in her community in their efforts to alleviate poverty and suffering. Here, her husband Elijah talks about the ways in which her work has challenged his thinking and inspired him to make his own contribution to the community.

Q. What does it mean to you to have your wife selected to lead a mother support group?

Mr. Jaure: I am very proud of my wife! She is such a hard worker and I am confident she has what it takes to lead this group. You see initially, when she joined the Mother Support Group in 2001, I thought that her interest in helping the needy was a result of her simply being a woman. I thought she would tire of it. I am amazed that six years later, she is still at it and going strong! She deserves her leadership position and she will serve well during her tenure.

Q. Has your wife’s involvement with Camfed changed you in any way?

Mr. Jaure: I have changed in a very positive way. Society in Zimbabwe has always viewed women as weak and lacking intellectually; but I have learned that my wife is one sharp woman. She might not have an academic track record, but she knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. I feel challenged, as I have watched her run up and down to attend this and that workshop, gone to attend to this and that child. Because her efforts have generated such positive results, I was motivated to join the Father Support Group, a group of men who, like the Mother Support Group, is working to strengthen the community. For instance, we are currently building an expansion to the bathing area for the girls at the local school’s boarding house, which was initiated by the Mother Support Group.

Q. Your wife has taken on some big responsibilities. Does that get challenging?

Mr. Jaure: Sometimes the going gets tough and my wife breaks down when she feels she is not getting through to everyone. Mind you, there are some men out there who still don’t believe women are achievers. Some of these men are in positions of power and they use their influence to hinder a woman’s potential. My wife has had to deal with this kind of attitude, but she says no matter what, she will not give up because what she does she does it for the children and not to impress or please other people.

I also have to endure time apart from my wife when she is away on duty, but I have learned to help her with the chores to make it easier for our family. Her happiness means a lot to me. When things are well with the children she works to support, she is happier.

Q. How do you support your wife?

Mr. Jaure: I have learned to listen to her when she talks. I give her advice when she needs it: I have encouraged her not to be deterred when the going is tough. And as I mentioned, I now help with chores around the house.

Q. Would you encourage other men to let their wives join the mother support group?

Mr. Jaure: Yes, I would, as it has worked well for my marriage. We are connected with people in our community and we are well-respected because of my wife’s work. She looks after other children in our community as if they are her own. If she can care about other people’s children, then I know that mine definitely have a good home.

Q. Would you join a father support group?

Mr. Jaure: Too late, I have joined one already (laughs)! The women have challenged us men, and we would like to do more to help our community. I was inspired to join the Father Support Group by my wife, but also after seeing Headman Makwarimba actively involved. He is elderly and very well-respected, but he devotes his time to working with the women. I love the work we are doing, as we are building our own community

Q. Do you have a word of advice for other men?

Mr. Jaure: First, I think it is time that men got over their big egos and moved beyond the patriarchal nature of our society. We should be supporting our wives fully and doing right for our children. Men should take responsibility for helping to stop child abuse. The more they are involved in helping children, the more they are prone to refrain from inflicting pain on them.

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