The Power of positive thinking
The International Labour Organisatiuon (ILO)’s Project on Economic Empowerment & HIV Vulnerability Reduction is supporting women and men vulnerable to HIV in Beitbridge.
23 October 2014
As a result of the commitment of the beneficiaries, the local authority has donated some 5000 square metres of land for a market gardening initiative in order to supply a ready market in Beitbridge. Most of the green vegetables that are consumed in Beitbridge are smuggled from neighbouring countries, the nearest being the town of Musina in South Africa.
A group of women, young men and girls have come together and formed a savings and credit cooperative. With support from the Project, they have been trained on how to start businesses using the ILO module, Start Your Business and HIV prevention. This initiative will go a long way to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS. Out of their savings, they were able to hire extra hands to clear the land with the intention of establishing a market garden, as well as a cattle fattening project adjacent to the garden.
The cattle manure from the garden will be used in the garden, while some unwanted vegetables will be used to feed the cattle and goats. With financial support from the Project guaranteed by the group’s savings, the beneficiaries were able to borrow money from an MFI to purchase a water pump to enable watering of the garden.
Much excitement has been generated by the prospect of a well-tended vegetable garden and a steady flow of income all year round from within Beitbridge and beyond. The beneficiaries can already see themselves sending their children and grandchildren to school. Those who are on treatment also see themselves affording treatment, which they cannot afford now, for HIV and other life threatening diseases.
A group of women, young men and girls have come together and formed a savings and credit cooperative. With support from the Project, they have been trained on how to start businesses using the ILO module, Start Your Business and HIV prevention. This initiative will go a long way to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS. Out of their savings, they were able to hire extra hands to clear the land with the intention of establishing a market garden, as well as a cattle fattening project adjacent to the garden.
The cattle manure from the garden will be used in the garden, while some unwanted vegetables will be used to feed the cattle and goats. With financial support from the Project guaranteed by the group’s savings, the beneficiaries were able to borrow money from an MFI to purchase a water pump to enable watering of the garden.
Much excitement has been generated by the prospect of a well-tended vegetable garden and a steady flow of income all year round from within Beitbridge and beyond. The beneficiaries can already see themselves sending their children and grandchildren to school. Those who are on treatment also see themselves affording treatment, which they cannot afford now, for HIV and other life threatening diseases.