Africa-Press – Lesotho. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the government of Japan have been highly praised for capacitating the communities
around Mafeteng district with tools of trade this past Friday during the closure of the project. IOM had in concert with the government of Japan introduced the ‘Socio-Economic
Reintegration of Returnees and other vulnerable households in migration affected areas severely impacted by COVID-19 pandemic’ project. The $696 600 approximately M10.2 million project ran from March 2021 to March 2022.
The project had targeted mostly returned Lesotho migrants from South Africa due to the strict COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 forcing many countries to place hard
lockdowns that limited economic and social activities, a move that resulted in many people losing employment opportunities. Largely this population were
the irregular migrants. One of the beneficiaries Nthuseng Mothibeli, who has received training and has graduated from the College of Cooperative Entrepreneurship and Business Studies
(CCBES) and had studied cosmetics, said their business sell petroleum jelly, lotions
and perfume. Mothibeli thanked the sponsors saying the market had responded positively towards their products. She said they are currently in talks with the retail stores and pharmacies to sell their
products. This beneficiary further said the DA’s office had afforded them space to work. She said it is no longer necessary for them to go back to SA as they are now
creating jobs. Mothibeli also mentioned that they need stickers to mark their products for identification as well as the place to run their operations from.
“This project has brought a great change and we are grateful to IOM and Japan’s
government” she said, adding that she never envisioned herself as a businesswoman. According to reports, there were over 100 000 Basotho nationals who were stranded in
SA as a result of hard lockdowns that were introduced to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The second beneficiary also from Mafeteng district, who is in recycling business,
Moselantja Ramonyaluoe said through training, they make chairs, decorated mirrors using recycled boxes, tyres and bottles. She thanked the donors and appealed for assistance post the project.
Monyaluoe further requested for marketing assistance. The beneficiaries have also walked away with the start-up kit to enable them produce with ease and convenience.
For his part, Mafeteng District Administrator (DA) Motinyane Motinyane thanked the IOM and the government of Japan for availing scholarships to beneficiaries to
pursue the vocational skills and for providing them with skills and capital to venture into business. He appreciated the gesture, saying these two sponsors have been reaching out to
vulnerable communities and addressing their needs. Project Officer at IOM Mabaruti Motsamai said IOM has been working with the DISCOSEC (District COVID-19 Secretariat) and District Disaster Management Team (DDMT) to
identify vulnerable returnees from SA to provide skills training to restore their livelihoods. The beneficiaries are from Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Leribe, Quthing and Qacha’s Nek
districts. On behalf of the entire beneficiaries, the Student representative, thanked the Government of Japan and IOM for availing the skills training opportunity.
The 198 beneficiaries are set to receive capital seed funding to the tune of $200, about M3 000.00. These beneficiaries have formed businesses in their respective districts.
For community projects, Mohale’s Hoek beneficiaries opted for beekeeping, poultry production for Qacha’s Nek residents, Mafeteng and Leribe residents benefited
in the form of agriculture production. The Chairperson of the Mphatlalatsane project that is dealing with vegetable production ‘Malenka Mokoena appreciated the gesture, saying they feel “privileged” for being the recipients
of this project. This project had received that start-up kit in the form of advancer irrigation equipment. The Chairperson said they plan to partner with the field owners to produce butternut
and potatoes over seven hectors land. She further said they are going to plant seedlings in masses. About M200 000.00 has been invested in community projects.
Each community project will receive some money to cover daily expenses of the project. IOM had indicated that there will be a post implementation evaluation.
IOM Senior Project Assistant ‘Makarabo Monaheng said the relations should be maintained for sustainability. She noted that about 88 percent of the beneficiaries wanted
to start their business. Monaheng noted that the beneficiaries should also explore internship opportunities to enhance their skills and gain experience in the process.
Taking stock of the beneficiaries’ reflections, Project Officer at IOM remarked that the beneficiaries have shown passion and are committed. “It is very fulfilling to hear the [success] stories of the beneficiaries,” she said.
IOM underscored the importance of the involvement of the relevant ministries from project inception, during implementation and monitoring phase, further saying it is
critical for involvement of local leaders and stakeholders within communities. Among the participants were officials from DA Office, Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Social Development.
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