The Replicable Poverty Linkages project recently donated some livestock to the Grove/Diamond housing scheme residents to create employment and boost livelihoods.
The project involves collaborating with local partners in the design and implementation of community-based programmes, a Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) press release said. The communities were selected after consultations held under the Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme countrywide. Groups were selected by and from the community for training. It is expected that by the end of the programme about 135 persons would have been trained. Several programmes are ongoing in regions three, four, and five and additional regions are expected to benefit as it progresses.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Sewchan said the ministry intends to make similar donations to 14 other communities before year-end. He noted that the agriculture ministry had committed to the project and had made veterinary services available to the communities.
Programme Analyst Trevor Benn said the UNDP is always happy to work with the government. He said last year 14 communities benefited from the programme. Benn said too that while poverty cannot be eliminated it can be reduced and in this regard, he urged residents to capitalise on the opportunities available.
Meanwhile, Region Four Regional Chairman Clement Corlette said based on last year’s results; the project has proven to be beneficial. He said not only has it lessened poverty; it has engendered a cooperative spirit in the community. Corlette said the programme has created the impetus for economic advancement.
According to GINA the programme is a collaborative effort between government and UNDP aimed at strengthening capacity in depressed communities by creating jobs for unemployed persons. It also builds on work already started in this area through the Youth Focused Community Based Initiative under the Social Cohesion project. The release added that on Saturday Mocha residents received their donations. The recipients were urged to care the animals.
According to GINA Chairman of the Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Demo-cratic Council Omar Khan and other regional and community representatives also attended the brief ceremony at the Diamond scheme.
