Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the economic experiences and coping strategies of single mothers in Epworth, Zimbabwe. Single mothers taking care of school going children in Epworth formed the target population. The participants were selected using the snowball sampling method. Data were collected through the use of semi-structured interviews. These interviews were later analysed in-depth using the thematic analysis. Three key themes, which were: economic survival, social stigma and discrimination, and surviving in the informal economy, formed the main findings. The study found that female-headed households are vulnerable to financial hardship which negatively impacted their well-being in many aspects. This study explored the implications of financial hardship on the well- being of eight single mothers. The participants highlighted poverty, and the drive to ensure that their children’s basic needs were being met, which resulted in them making a lot of sacrifices of their own needs. In most cases, participants went to bed hungry and struggled to pay water and electricity bills, school fees and rentals. Isolation, anxiety, stigma, and no financial or social support were described. Recommendations for improvement of community development practices include the introduction of state cash transfers as a benefit for single mothers to be introduced and implemented in order to assists the mothers financially. Single mothers cannot only depend on the cash transfers which will be introduced but should also supplement their income with the introduction of economic development projects in Zimbabwe, such a recommendation will provide a valuable network for the single mothers and create another channel of income which they can depend on.
M.A. (Community Development)