S&CD Graduates Predict To Conquer Poverty
Pini Bothoko | Monday August 4, 2014 14:39
After struggling for a long time without jobs and depending on Ipelegeng as a source of employment, learners who graduated under the Social and Community Development (S&CD) recently believe they have found a panacea to their social ills and in their quest to conquer poverty.
About 171 S&CD beneficiaries under poverty eradication programme were awarded certificates of attendance after completing their three months study at Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education (FCTVE) recently.
Learners were studying for courses in certificate in Hair Dressing, Food and Catering as well as Clothing, Design and Textiles.
In separate interviews with The Monitor, the graduates could not stop applauding the government for introducing the poverty eradication programme which they believe is set to empower them as citizens of Botswana.
Kumbilani Tlhaganeng 46, a mother of four and a resident of Borolong who received certificate in Food and Catering, said she has been a stay home mother surviving by selling fat cakes to the community to eke out a living and sustain her family.
'It was in 2012 when I was attending a Kgotla meeting at my home village and heard our social workers passing the message that the programme is open and interested individuals should come forward to register.
'I went there to register, an evaluation of myself done, and they told me that I qualify. Today I have just graduated. This is the best ever day of my life, I am happy that I have a certificate for my business, 'she said.
She said that she has struggling to feed her children but surviving with the little profits she made from selling fat cakes, which was not enough.
'From here I will make sure that I work hard to keep my business afloat though I will still be doing my catering from home. I wish all those who are unemployed can enroll in these government initiatives as they could help them conquer the debilitating effects of joblessness and poverty, ' she said.
Another graduate Tshepiso Maseko, 26 from Tshesebe village, and currently in the process of opening a hair salon in Francistown, where she hopes her business will flourish because of a good customer base as compared to her home village, was a recipient of a certificate in Hair Dressing.
'One of the Village Development Committee (VDC) members approached me informing me about this poverty eradication programme and encouraged me to register and that is the reason I am graduating today, 'she said. The mother of two said that after failing her Form 5, she has been struggling to secure a job, but was happy that through this programme, beyond her wildest dreams, she now owns a business.
'The little that I used to make at home was not enough. I have learnt a lot and with the skills I foresee change in life. I thank the government for coming up with the programme, ' said Maseko.
Georginah Lubatsi 64 of Makobo village who graduated in Clothing, Design and Textile, said all along she has been a tailor, her undying wish was to one own a well-developed dressmaking workshop churning out high quality clothing.
'From here my plans are to open a dressmaking workshop at home. I wish to see my business being able to design school uniform for primary schools back home. I have learnt a lot in the types of clothing designs and intend to wage war on poverty with this business, ' she said.