Projects

The Empowerment Project

Income generation

Following training and guidance to develop a business plan, each group of kabilo baamas is provided with seed resources to start an income generating activity of their choice. Already armed with basic business and financial knowledge and skills as well as training in the production of selected commodities and products, these women are able to set up successful small-scale businesses including bakeries, tailoring shops, fruit and vegetable retailing, mini-markets, food and beverage processing, and agro-related activities such as farming and horticulture. Proceeds go towards a revolving fund established by each group for access to low interest loans for women, as well as towards a micro community reproductive health insurance scheme from which they can borrow to address health care expenses within their communities and for referral facilitation.

Established kabilos have purchased jerry cans to store water, battery lamps as well as bed sheets and curtains for use to hedge against lack of water, electricity and household materials at the community health center at the time of delivery. Arrangements have been made with taxi drivers for emergency evacuation to the health facility. There are also plans to provide a mother’s kit for use at the time of delivery. The kit is to contain needed items such as soap, sanitary pads, spirits, mackintosh and wrapping cloth etc. during delivery.

Mandinaba Community Market

To ensure women have a clean, safe and conducive outlet for their commodities and products, we piloted the establishment of a concrete floor, iron-roofed market with concrete display slabs in Mandinaba village for the use of our beneficiaries, community members and retailers from neighbouring villages. The market has clean running water supply to promote good hygiene.