Eight receive equipment from Gender Ministry

KEETMANSHOOP, 12 DEC  – Eight people from the //Kharas Region on Tuesday received income generation activities (IGAs) materials and equipment from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW).
Speaking at the official handover ceremony here, MGECW Deputy Minister, Lucia Witbooi urged the beneficiaries to use the equipment for their intended purpose and improve their living standard while creating employment for others.

“You must make use of the materials and equipment you are receiving today, do not let it just stand in your homes, that will be a waste as there are others who wish to have such opportunities,” she said.
Witbooi said the ministry strives to improve the quality of life for all Namibian people by encouraging women and men to embark on income generating activities in order to improve their livelihood and promote self-employment initiatives.

The deputy minister said 70 per cent of those who have been benefiting from IGAs are women, youth and people living with disabilities.
The beneficiaries will be provided with training by the ministry and Witbooi said they must use these skills to
improve their businesses.
“This equipment remains the property of the ministry and in case of any mismanagement, the ministry has the right to repossess the equipment and will continue to monitor and evaluate the IGAs,” she added.
The projects that were funded by the ministry include catering, butchery, welding, home decoration and needlework and it cost the ministry over N.dollars 200 000.
Speaking to the media, one of the beneficiaries Simon Nunyango who is in the catering business extended a word of gratitude towards the ministry and vowed to create jobs.
“I am thankful for the assistance from the government, this equipment will really help a lot for us to deliver proper service to our customers,” he said. – NAMPA