TXY member, Ogopotse Basite with one of his chickens. © Skillshare/Claire Lewis-Armes
The Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation provided a grant of £16,345 in 2007/08 to support Skillshare International’s Botswana Rural Livelihoods Project.
Skillshare International works to reduce poverty, injustice and inequality and to promote economic and social development in partnership with people and communities throughout the world.
Half of Botswana's population live on less than US$2 a day and the rural population is particularly vulnerable as opportunities to learn, train and gain employment are scarce. The Botswana Rural Livelihoods Project supports eight organisations in Botswana to work with poorer families and young people. It builds the capacity of individuals and communities by developing their skills for sustainable livelihoods.
Funding from The Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation has supported Skillshare International's partner organisation Tqii Xu Yani (TXY). TXY trains communities in food production, drought-resistance and local produce. Through the placement of a Skillshare development worker TXY have trained 70 community members on topics including farm management and land preparation, vegetable cultivation, crop production and the control of chicken and goat diseases. As a result, the members have established backyard gardens, planted crops and harvested enough vegetables to sustain their families. Three community members have bought 30 goats each through the Young Farmers Fund, and TXY has introduced goat rearing and sharing schemes.
TXY has also identified additional training needs for their members and established leatherworks and sewing groups. Following training in business skills the members have started to produce and sell leather products, providing members with a regular income and inspiring others to form similar groups in the next year of the project.
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