22 Jun 2014

North East District leadership consultative forum has been informed that some new packages have been added to the poverty eradication programme.

The district council home economist, Ms Rosinah Maoba said the new packages included popcorn production, beadwork, basketry, bee keeping and children’s enterprises.

Addressing stakeholders on Thursday June 19, on the last day of the two-day meeting held in Masunga, Ms Maoba said the packages were included to complement the existing ones. On challenges faced by the district, she highlighted problems such as water supply shortage, foot and mouth disease outbreaks as well as the scarcity of small stock countrywide.

Water shortage, she noted, affected both backyard gardens and small stock projects. Despite encountering these challenges, Ms Maoba said most of the poverty eradication projects are doing well, citing a uniform manufacturing project at Ditladi, which she said had recently won a supply tender for a day care centre in the village.

She said projects found in Tati East include bakery, catering and laundry services, whereas in Tati West the most preferred projects are backyard gardens.

Ms Maoba stated that due to shortage of staff, social workers, who are the main coordinators of poverty eradication projects, intend to work hand in hand with the Village Development Committees and Village Extension Teams in monitoring the projects.

Group projects often fail because of misunderstandings and conflicts between beneficiaries, she added.

As a result of lack of markets, Ms Maoba encouraged beneficiaries to liaise with non-governmental organisations and private companies to broaden their market base. She also acknowledged the community leaders for being supportive. ENDS