News / Local
Caritas sustainable livelihoods diversity and resilience project for Bikita
18 May 2016 at 01:53hrs | Views
A project goal to improve livelihoods diversity and resilience for targeted vulnerable women, men, boys and girls has been initiated in Wards 12 and 22 of Bikita District.
Masvingo Mirror reported that the project is under implementation in ward 12 and 22 of Bikita. It targets 500 households with a total of 2 649 direct beneficiaries and 7 511 indirect beneficiaries.
The paper said the main objectives cover three main components that cover sustainable access and management of water for livelihoods interventions, food security and income security for targeted households.
"The main activities for the water provision component is that of dam construction. Two dams were planned for construction and the construction of the first dam, Musvanhi was completed in 2015 and commissioned on 15 April 2016.
Construction of the second dam commenced in 2016. The dam is in Nhamo Village of Bikita's Ward 22. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) were carried out for both dams and Environmental Management Agency (EMA) issued certificates for the projects," reported the Mirror.
"The programme would like to promote organic farming. As part of its effort, 100 farmers (57 in ward 12 and 43 in ward 22) were invited and attended farmer to farmer crop management trainings. The trainings were on sustainable utilisation of natural resources and organic farming. Use of organic manure was practiced by 80% of the beneficiary households during the 2015/2016 agricultural season.
For income security, the project has two main components: Livestock production and Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL). A total of 181 households received 5 she-goats each for breeding and pass on to the other households. An additional 30 he-goats were also distributed to ensure enough she to he-goat ratio is maintained."
The project now has a total of 546 individuals (62 men and 475 women) who are participating in Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL). Savings in different groups differ and ranges between 5 and 15 dollars per month. The group that had the highest portfolio by March 2016, inspite of the prevailing food challenges had $780.
"The goal of the programme is Increased economic and social participation of male and female youth in Zimbabwe. It is under implementation in Bikita, Chivi, Masvingo and Zaka Districts in Masvingo Province and Beitbridge District in Matabeleland South Province. The target group are youths, both females and males 18 to 35 years," the Mirror reported.
"The programme has three main result areas premised on three main pillars: Improving human conditions; Improving social positions and Creating a sound enabling environment. To address the three, a number of components are covered and these include trainings in business management and technical skills; Social Analysis and Action (SAA); linking the youths with financial institutions."
By 31 March 2016, the programme had trained a total of 4 817 youths had been trained in technical skills. Most trainings were in Poultry production, Brick and block Laying, Hair Dressing, Carpentry, Welding and Dress Making. Training is provided by tutors from the Livestock Production Department (LPD), VET, tutors from Mushagashe Training Centre, Masvingo Vocational Training Centre and some trainers from target communities.
Practical Training in Brick and Block Laying at Chikofa Primary School in ward 19 0f Chivi District.
Another 3 651 youths were trained in Entrepreneurship Development. The training was provided by Empretec, a partner in the programme specifically for business management training.
A total of 3 568 youths attended SAA sessions during the same period. A number of issues were covered during the sessions and these include socio-cultural norms that militate against participation of youths, especially female youths, in economic activities. 434 youth and adult peer facilitators were trained to roll out the SAA sessions in the different districts and wards. Community engagement has been seen as key in appreciating the capacity of youths in participation in economic activities.
Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) has been engaged to assist youths with potential with funding for their projects. CBZ covers four Districts: Beitbridge, Chivi, Masvingo and Zaka while Virl Micro Finance covers youths in Bikita. This is an area that is yet to take off with assessments underway in all the districts.
The programme has had tremendous support from various line ministries and departments, local authorities and communities that view the programme as a sure way of assisting youths.
Masvingo Mirror reported that the project is under implementation in ward 12 and 22 of Bikita. It targets 500 households with a total of 2 649 direct beneficiaries and 7 511 indirect beneficiaries.
The paper said the main objectives cover three main components that cover sustainable access and management of water for livelihoods interventions, food security and income security for targeted households.
"The main activities for the water provision component is that of dam construction. Two dams were planned for construction and the construction of the first dam, Musvanhi was completed in 2015 and commissioned on 15 April 2016.
Construction of the second dam commenced in 2016. The dam is in Nhamo Village of Bikita's Ward 22. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) were carried out for both dams and Environmental Management Agency (EMA) issued certificates for the projects," reported the Mirror.
"The programme would like to promote organic farming. As part of its effort, 100 farmers (57 in ward 12 and 43 in ward 22) were invited and attended farmer to farmer crop management trainings. The trainings were on sustainable utilisation of natural resources and organic farming. Use of organic manure was practiced by 80% of the beneficiary households during the 2015/2016 agricultural season.
For income security, the project has two main components: Livestock production and Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL). A total of 181 households received 5 she-goats each for breeding and pass on to the other households. An additional 30 he-goats were also distributed to ensure enough she to he-goat ratio is maintained."
The project now has a total of 546 individuals (62 men and 475 women) who are participating in Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL). Savings in different groups differ and ranges between 5 and 15 dollars per month. The group that had the highest portfolio by March 2016, inspite of the prevailing food challenges had $780.
"The programme has three main result areas premised on three main pillars: Improving human conditions; Improving social positions and Creating a sound enabling environment. To address the three, a number of components are covered and these include trainings in business management and technical skills; Social Analysis and Action (SAA); linking the youths with financial institutions."
By 31 March 2016, the programme had trained a total of 4 817 youths had been trained in technical skills. Most trainings were in Poultry production, Brick and block Laying, Hair Dressing, Carpentry, Welding and Dress Making. Training is provided by tutors from the Livestock Production Department (LPD), VET, tutors from Mushagashe Training Centre, Masvingo Vocational Training Centre and some trainers from target communities.
Practical Training in Brick and Block Laying at Chikofa Primary School in ward 19 0f Chivi District.
Another 3 651 youths were trained in Entrepreneurship Development. The training was provided by Empretec, a partner in the programme specifically for business management training.
A total of 3 568 youths attended SAA sessions during the same period. A number of issues were covered during the sessions and these include socio-cultural norms that militate against participation of youths, especially female youths, in economic activities. 434 youth and adult peer facilitators were trained to roll out the SAA sessions in the different districts and wards. Community engagement has been seen as key in appreciating the capacity of youths in participation in economic activities.
Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ) has been engaged to assist youths with potential with funding for their projects. CBZ covers four Districts: Beitbridge, Chivi, Masvingo and Zaka while Virl Micro Finance covers youths in Bikita. This is an area that is yet to take off with assessments underway in all the districts.
The programme has had tremendous support from various line ministries and departments, local authorities and communities that view the programme as a sure way of assisting youths.
Source - Masvingo Mirror
