07 Aug 2013

When 31-year-old, Mr Mpoeleng Radinku fondly known as Jamaica from Damochujenaa was given goats to breed through the poverty eradication programme, his life changed. He knew that soon after they multiply, he would be able to make sales to gain an income to sustain his livelihood and take care of his family.

Initially he relied on government’s food ration programme and Ipelegeng programme,  but all that is in the past. Narrating his story, Mr Radinku said he received four female goats and one billy-goat in July this year through the poverty eradication alternative packages programme and is still awaiting five more goats through the initiative. 

He said early last year, he registered with the local social and community development office and was assessed to be included in the programme. He was selected to be among the beneficiaries from Damochujenna to attend the poverty eradication workshop in Diphuduhudu where he acquired knowledge and skills on small stock rearing.

Mr Radinku noted that the workshop played a major role in helping him understand the importance of taking care of livestock to increase their number so as to later sell them for profit. He said after the workshop, he applied for goats through the poverty eradication programme and his request was approved.

Currently, he herds the goats every day to avoid losing them to predators, adding that because the goats are from different places, they are not familiar with the grazing environment in Damuchujenaa, thus he prefers to herd them so that they do not get lost or be stolen.

On challenges, Mr Radinku said the major problem he has encountered is that he has not yet received smallstock feed and vaccines under the programme. However, he said the challenges will not deter him from achieving his goal of taking good care of his smallstock to enable him to sell.

Mr Radinku acknowledged government for introducing the poverty eradication programme as it has had a significant impact on the lives of many people like him who were living in abject poverty.

He called on people who have benefitted from the programme to take care of their projects and not to misuse the chances they are given to uplift their lives. He said as the saying that goes ‘make hay while the sun still shines’, people must take advantage of programmes availed by government to uplift their lives and sustain their livelihoods. ENDS