This ethnographic study, as part of a broader study of volunteerism and social development in the Chegutu district, Zimbabwe, explores the agency of volunteers to survive in a context of socio-economic challenges. Volunteers in Zimbabwe are operating in a context characterised by socio-economic challenges. They are living on the margins. The situation is exacerbated by non-governmental organisations’ non-payment of stipends or the inadequacy of the stipends that are eventually paid. Using their agency, volunteers are involved in Internal Savings and Lending Schemes, group-based income-generating activities, multiple affiliations, grocery initiatives, accumulation of social capital, and building networks and relationships to survive.

这项民族志研究是津巴布韦 Chegutu 区志愿服务和社会发展更广泛研究的一部分，探索了志愿者在社会经济挑战背景下生存的能动性。津巴布韦的志愿者在社会经济挑战的背景下开展工作。他们生活在边缘。非政府组织不支付津贴或最终支付的津贴不足，加剧了这种情况。志愿者利用他们的代理机构参与内部储蓄和借贷计划、基于团体的创收活动、多个附属机构、杂货计划、社会资本的积累以及建立网络和关系以求生存。