WAD training centre opens in Keetmans

A TRAINING centre to empower women was opened in Keetmanshoop yesterday.

The centre is run by Women’s Action for Development (WAD), which has revived an under-utilised training centre, previously known as the Complementary Learning Centre, at a cost of N$232 000 funded by the mining giant Namdeb. Minister of Environment and Tourism Willem Konjore, who inaugurated the training centre, praised WAD for the progressive steps it has taken so far across the country in empowering rural women to improve their living standards.”The opening of WAD Training Centre in Keetmanshoop heralds a new era in our efforts to address the disparities that exist between the urban and rural areas,” he said.Konjore stressed the importance of a self-sufficient nation and urged community members to strive towards self-sustainability and financial independence.”Poverty cannot be eliminated by giving people free handouts to satisfy their basic needs, but by making resources available and encouraging and empowering them to use these resources to cater for their own basic needs,” he said.He also encouraged local people to conserve the environment and to engage in the tourism industry.Speaking at the same event, WAD Executive Director Veronica De Klerk said most people in Karas are marginalised despite the natural wealth of the region.De Klerk said WAD is redirecting its focus to involve the youth in its programmes.The opening of the centre coincided with the graduation of 87 students, including 11 prison inmates, from the new centre.Their training courses included computer literacy, nursery practices and management, needlework, civic education, hoodia and vegetable production and beekeeping.Minister of Environment and Tourism Willem Konjore, who inaugurated the training centre, praised WAD for the progressive steps it has taken so far across the country in empowering rural women to improve their living standards.”The opening of WAD Training Centre in Keetmanshoop heralds a new era in our efforts to address the disparities that exist between the urban and rural areas,” he said.Konjore stressed the importance of a self-sufficient nation and urged community members to strive towards self-sustainability and financial independence.”Poverty cannot be eliminated by giving people free handouts to satisfy their basic needs, but by making resources available and encouraging and empowering them to use these resources to cater for their own basic needs,” he said.He also encouraged local people to conserve the environment and to engage in the tourism industry.Speaking at the same event, WAD Executive Director Veronica De Klerk said most people in Karas are marginalised despite the natural wealth of the region.De Klerk said WAD is redirecting its focus to involve the youth in its programmes.The opening of the centre coincided with the graduation of 87 students, including 11 prison inmates, from the new centre.Their training courses included computer literacy, nursery practices and management, needlework, civic education, hoodia and vegetable production and beekeeping.