19 Jan 2020

Poverty Eradication Programme beneficiaries have been advised to explore the various branches of the programme to better their livelihoods.

This was said by Ms Constance Gaotlhobogwe, a Non Formal Education officer based at Lerala, during the Out of School Education and Training (OSET), business training workshop held in Palapye recently.

The workshop was organised to equip the poverty eradication beneficiaries with business skills to run their projects.

The workshop attracted beneficiaries of grains packaging machine, detergent manufacturing and small stock projects from Lesenepolo, Moreomabelele, Malaka, Matlhakola Topisi, Maunatlala and Palapye villages.

Ms Gaotlhobogwe stated that they had discovered that majority of the programme’s beneficiaries were from rural areas and either illiterate, or had  primary school leaving certificate, which was a limitation to running their businesses.

She therefore advised those illiterate to register with non-formal education in their respective villages, to acquire skills on reading and writing.

Ms Therisano Keipopele, a  Non Formal Education officer based in Radisele said to prosper in business one ought to have goals to start the business of their choice, have knowledge in business and equipment to start the business.

She said beneficiaries should believe in what they wanted to venture into.

Ms Keipopele went on to advise the beneficiaries to open savings accounts for their business earnings, and also keep records of the business to monitor progress and check if they were making profit.

One of the beneficiaries who was given a grains packaging machine Ms Marea Nkesi stated that the programme had made a great impact in their lives.

She said that she had been receiving orders from many people. 

Ms Nkesi packages and sells various products which include peanuts, beans and lentils.

She said she packaged according to the customer’s request.

She expressed gratitude towards OSET for coming up with the empowering workshop. Ends