QABO READY FOR WORKSHOP Qabo settlement in Ghanzi District will, on Wednesday, May 14, be a hive of activitiy as the poverty eradication workshop kicks off. The workshop, which is co-hosted by Ghanzi and Ngamiland districts, would have 1,100 beneficiaries participating. Ghanzi District Commissioner, Mr Andina Dintwa said the collaboration was a way of building mutual relations between the two districts, as well as sharing expertise on ways of developing livelihoods of people in the two respective districts. Ngamiland District would have 100 potential beneficiaries for training in this workshop. Mr Dintwa said with high statistics of poverty in the Ghanzi district, this workshop is an achievement for the district as they will now have more beneficiaries participating in the workshop. He said they had beneficiaries from previous workshops and their projects were a success. According to Mr Dintwa, beneficiaries from previous workshops were supplying 90 per cent of schools in the district with uniforms and bread. He said as a district, they were pleased with the progress of eradicating poverty. “We are not yet there, but the difference is evident and we are optimistic that we will get there,” noted Mr Dintwa. Qabo projects included a bakery, carpentry, wielding, brick moulding, kiosk, leather work, backyard gardening, hair salon and sewing, small stock and poultry. Ms Neo Kebonye, a social worker in Qabo said there were close to 30 projects for both individuals and groups. And, she said, all projects were operational, some started in 2012 and others this year. With this workshop in their settlement, Ms Kebonye said there were 55 potential beneficiaries who will be trained on Thursday May 15 at the workshop. With a population of 726 inhabitants, Ms Kebonye said the level of poverty in her area was low. She noted that out of the 726 people, only 54 were in the destitute programme. She explained that the number comprises only elders and just a few of youth who are disabled and those on special dispensation. Nevertheless, Ms Kebonye said, they encourage those who recovered from disability to take projects and not rely on the destitute programme. From the 54 on the destitute programme, Ms Kebonye said 20 of them would be trained at the workshop. She says some in the program were still skeptical of participating and benefiting from the workshop for fear of termination. She says they are hopeful that after the workshop, more will take on projects as they would have been exposed after the workshop. Kgosi Xhwagkao Xhau of Qabo expressed joy at the coming of the workshop and says his people will develop and sustain themselves after the workshop. He says some in Qabo have been living on agriculture, destitute program and Ipelegeng. He says with the workshop, now beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries will be empowered enough to operate and sustain their projects and improve their livelihoods. He says as the village elder, he encourages those who have benefited and are operational to open bank accounts in order to save and grow their businesses. Although Qabo is behind in the Youth Development Fund (YDF) program, Kgosi Xhau says the Social and Community Development office and the Youth office are working effortlessly to encourage youth to apply for YDF projects and benefit as well. (BOPA)
Posted on: Tue, 13 May 2014 18:15:18 +0000
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