16 Mar 2020

Since inception in 2011, the Poverty Eradication Programme has continued to improve livelihoods.

In an interview on the sidelines of a National Poverty Eradication Expo in Gaborone, a beneficiary, Ms Esther Letshwenyo could not help, but praise government for the programme.

“I truly thank government for the impact the programme has had in my life. I never thought in a million years that I would find myself in such an arena showcasing my products.  The Poverty Eradication Programme has restored my dignity,” she said.

Ms Letshwenyo, who hails from Lesenapole, used to only  rely on her husband’s income to take care of the family.

Losing her husband meant the family had no income to rely on.

For the next four years, Ms Letshwenyo tried to make ends meet but to no avail.

A visit to a social welfare office, which directed her to the administrator of the Poverty Eradication Programme began a new dawn for her.

ESDAK Wash was born, a business that specialises in manufacturing and distribution detergents. Ms Letshwenyo and two of partners own the business.

The business started operating in 2019, with funding assistance from the Poverty Eradication Programme and technical assistance by the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA).

“I was contacted by the Poverty Eradication Programme in 2017 for a course in detergent making, which I readily dived into after realising that there was a market for local detergents,” she explained.

She stated that production commenced September 2019 and her products were Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) certified.

ESDAK Wash supplies schools in Kgagodi, Saverite in Palapye, Mogapi and Lesenapole.

The expo served to expose beneficiaries’ products for appreciation by local and external buyers.

Over 39 000 projects have been funded since the inception of the Poverty Eradication programme in 2011 and more than 30 000 jobs created. Ends