The Department of Social Development in its continuous advance in taking part in the eradication of poverty will commemorate the International day of the eradication of poverty at Dubeni village, Lady Frere on 15 October2010.
Lady Frere is a rural town under Emalahleni municipality within Chris Hani district. This area is one of thepoverty stricken areas in the Eastern Cape.
The department is in partnership with the Department of Agriculture in this anti-poverty programme.
During this day, the department will launch a project aimed at eradicating poverty at Dubeni village. The Dubeni Small Irrigation Project is under the Sustainable Livelihood Program focusing on crop production and it consistsof 17 members.
This project started in 1993 when 17 vibrant community members from different households mettogether with a common purpose of crop production from their arable fields.
This project was initiated to fight poverty within the community as well as creating employment opportunities forthe younger generation. The project has managed to maintain its membership and since the project has started, the project members have managed to get money in the two consecutive times from savings account as anincentive.
They also have won some competitions. They came first in Chris Hani district in the production category during the Women Farmers Competition and they came second in the province and they won a cashprize.
The project continuously donates vegetables to the identified HIV and AIDS infected and affected communitymembers and the local school Nompumelelo Pre-primary School.
The focus on the day therefore will be toempower the community members and the project members to work together in the fight against poverty.
This financial year, a sum of R11 million has been budgeted for the poverty eradication programme.
For more information, please contact:
Gcobani Maswana
Cell: 082 821 7410
Luvo Dunjwa
Cell: 082 411 5729 or 078 627 9931
Tel: 040 608 9108
Source: Department of Social Development, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
