By Temnotfo Mvubu | Public Relations Manager
Empowering families through economic opportunities in 2024
Over the years, we have been combating poverty through creating income-generating opportunities for families in rural, underserved communities in Eastern Lubombo. Recognizing that poverty erodes hope, our programs focus on developing local resources and skills that can enable families to access essential resources like food, healthcare and education.
We work with communities facing extreme poverty due to limited economic activity, restricted market access, and a lack of resources for both subsistence farming and sustainable business. We identify and develop marketable local resources and skills, such as sewing, marula nuts, and moringa, which are then transformed into a variety of products. We also provide skills training to connect families to economic empowerment. To date, our programs have empowered over 150 families to thrive.
This year, we significantly refined our marula pressing and bottling process. The marula tree is abundant in our region, and the period after the seeds have dried provides our window for collection and pressing. By purchasing these nuts directly from community members, we provide them with a meaningful source of income. This refined process has allowed us to successfully place our bottled marula oil in various stores and establishments across Eswatini.
We also began processing moringa seeds this year, with the goal of expanding into a diverse product line, including oils and teas. This initiative relied on local residents for the supply of dried leaves and nuts, and benefited from the support of volunteers who helped with processing.
While our Dvumisa Creative store will unfortunately close next year due to high rental costs and challenging sales, we've secured continued retail placement for our products, including marula oil and sewing items, at Swift stores in Ngwenya Glass and Swazi Candles, as well as our very own Livivane Guesthouse and other establishments.
We’re grateful for our donors and are committed to continuing our work, but we need your support to empower more families and build sustainable futures. Every contribution brings us closer to this goal, as creating sustainable livelihoods directly translates to improved healthcare and nutrition, increased access to education for children, and improved living standards
Take the first step in helping us to make a difference. https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/jobs-for-several-hundred-impoverished-in-swaziland/
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