LAMP Groups form the foundation of our work. We gather (10-15) men or women (separately) in discussion groups so that they can help one another and improve their situation through an exchange of ideas. We teach them how to save and help them with their banking and other paperwork for government
assistance and programs. We also endeavour, amongst other things, to get them to see the importance of keeping their children in schools rather than taking the children out to increase family income. |
LYDIA is a series of vocational training centres (VTC) where men and women from the LAMP Groups can acquire new skills to increase their chances of finding suitable long-term employment. When the women have been trained, they use their creative skills to produce crafts which we are now selling online.
The sales of these items allow the women to bring in extra income for their families.
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LAMP Grant is the part of the transformation that facilitates those who are entrepreneurial to start a small business or buy feed or cattle. These entrepreneurs usually have no collateral and therefore GSED helps them to secure the grants that they need. Grants are small, ranging from Rs. 5,000 to 20,000 with an affordable repayment plan. Since we work with the community, there is a trust that is built over time that allows for the successful use of these funds to improve the livelihood of the recipients and their families. The funds released by each entrepreneur are ploughed back into the community thereby helping even more people to improve their livelihood.
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Business Opportunities form the financial engine that drives the other 3 parts of the program as it seeks to find employment for those who have been trained in Lydia and at the same time generate funds to pay for the whole program cost.
We seek out small businesses that are suited to the skills levels and capacity of the communities we work in. We search for and maximize the assets that the community possesses. We have produced handicrafts, textile products, school uniforms, ties and belts. We are looking at other areas of expansion e.g. backpacks and T-shirts. |