Africa-Press – Namibia. Several villagers from Mpungu in the Mpungu constituency of the Kavango West region have grouped themselves into a woodwork project, ‘Mutjima-gumwe Woodworking Cooperative’.
The group was created through the Namibia Integrated Landscape Approach for Enhancing Livelihoods and Environmental Governance (NILALEG) Nkulivere landscape project.
They craft wooden products to make a living.
The NILALEG project is at the forefront of pioneering development to uplift local communities through sustainable natural resource management.
At the heart of its mission in Nkulivere is the integration of community-based projects that not only support but also enhance local livelihoods.
It is spearheaded through several initiatives that are tailored to the unique needs and potential of the region. The Woodcarvers’ Cooperative, which benefits from a newly constructed carpentry workshop located next to the Mpungu constituency and Regional Directorate of Forestry offices.
“Our cooperative is made up of 18 organised community members who now facilitate local craftsmanship. We do woodwork. Our workshop collaborates with the constituency and Directorate of Forestry to ensure sustainable wood-harvesting practices that are respectful of the region’s rich forest resources. Our workshop is Mutjima-gumwe Carpentry Workshop,’’ said the chairperson Johannes Ndumba Kaleyi.
He recently participated in the Nkurenkuru Expo through the cooperative.
“We got the project through the councillor’s office. They organised us, and we began working together. They got us all the equipment. We have all the paperwork. NILALEG took us through workshops on how to run our business. We structured ourselves into various positions – from chairperson to treasurer and so on,’’ he said.
The Mutjima-gumwe carpentry workshop carves tables, chairs, beds and all wooden household furniture.
They also fabricate wooden window frames and doors.
Their work with wood is extensive – they also fabricate coffins.
Kaleyi said the community does not have to go all the way outside Mpungu to buy coffins, as their workshop supplies them.
“Our project started five years ago. However, during the two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, we came to a halt. That’s why we are still rebuilding because it was inactive for some time. We resumed only last year. Our challenge now is getting wood, as we aren’t authorised to harvest wood or timber. But through the project, we have the equipment to cut and work on wood. We do not have a permit to cut, but we now only rely on the forestry office. Once they confiscate timber logs or planks that have no case registered with the police, they sell it to us through NILALEG,’’ Kaleyi stated.
He said NILALEG bought them bundles of planks last year when they resumed.
“But that happened only once. Our planks are now finished. We are struggling. We don’t know how we will get more since people are also not getting permits to harvest,’’ he said.
The project has improved their lives, as they can meet their financial needs.
“We support our school-going children and meet household needs. Some members used to drink alcohol a lot, as they had nothing to do in the village.
Now they are being kept busy by work. Because they are now making a living, the unemployment stress has been dealt with. They now live a normal life. This is truly a lifesaving project for us.
All we need now is support in all aspects. We will employ more people once the demand increases,’’ Kaleyi noted.
“Community projects like this one really make a difference. For us in the project, we are grateful. We want to create employment for 18 women, although women in our area don’t like to involve themselves in this type of work. But it will be good if they agree. We will train them and work together,” Kaleyi stated.
“If people want to buy our wooden products, they can reach us on 081 302 2761,” he added.
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