27 Nov 2016

Young people in Etsha13 had been encouraged to exploit government programmes in order to improve their lives. 

This was said by the 34 year old Ms Tswelelo Letsatsi, a poverty eradication beneficiary, who was funded to open a salon in Etsha 13.

“Negligence and lack of information about these programmes nearly cost me the opportunity of improving my life,” she told BOPA in an interview recently.

She said people should knock on government offices’ doors in order to get help on any programme they want to know about.

Ms Letsatsi said before benefiting from the programme life was not easy for her as she had to fend for her siblings from money she made from plaiting people on occasions.

She said she had no permanent job as she relied on part time jobs. Ms Letsatsi further explained that after opening her salon, her life improved and that of her family as she was now able to put food on the table.

She said despite challenges of low customer turn out, she is confident that as soon as she becomes popular the situation will improve.

Ms Letsatsi who has been operating for six months was hopeful that her business would gain prominence during the festive season as more people would come to the salon and do their hair. 

She said before applying for the programme she had been urged by many of her friends to apply but she was reluctant until one day she took a step to visit the office of the social worker in the village.

She said upon applying, she was briefed on different projects that one can be funded on. With her experience and love for hairdressing, Miss Letsatsi had to go for a salon.

After an assessment, her application was approved and amongst other beneficiaries she was taken for a three months training on hairdressing at Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education (FCTVE). She said the basic skills training helped her a lot as it opened her eyes to both practical and theory of running a hair salon. ENDS