By Joe-Chintha Garises
BETHANIE, July 15 — 44-year-old Alusius Colman says he decided to start a garden project to get some income because job opportunities are scarce in Bethanie.
He does not only do gardening but also tiling, plumbing and welding.
He started the garden project in 2020 but due to a lack of funds and materials, he had to put it on hold for a while.
He grows vegetables and fruits and says “in three months’ time I will be eating from my garden,” he said.
“I only planted cabbage, carrots, beetroots, onions, spinach, bananas, grapes and mangoes” he added.
Colman is one of the beneficiaries of the Ministry of Gender Income Generating Activities (IGA) project where he got material worth N$45 000 for his welding business.
He is currently doing a welding course at the Namibia Training Authorities.
“I decided to try and do as much as I can to be able to sustain myself and my family as jobs are very scarce in this town,” he said.
The village council recently donated seeds and chemicals worth N$6000 to enable him to revive his garden project.
“I’m selling the vegetables and fruits to the community and I’m also thinking of helping the youth by starting a soup kitchen,” Colman said.
Colman is helped by his 28-year-old daughter to maintain the garden.
“I get welding, tiling and plumping tenders here and there around town and always do them alone as I can’t afford to have a permanent employee because these are just odd jobs,” he added.
