Ten women registered as eligible households on the Social Register of Mauritius (SRM) and who have completed a course in Aquaponics Culture were awarded certificates, on Thurday, during a ceremony held at the seat of the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF) in Port Louis.
Present at the award ceremony, the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, spoke of the importance of empowering the beneficiaries to be financially independent. She congratulated them for having successfully completed the course while encouraging them to put in practice what they have learnt and to start earning a living.
Furthermore, she underlined Government’s ongoing commitment as regards the alleviation of absolute poverty. A central element in Government’s Programme pertains to eradicating absolute poverty and a lot of progress has been achieved in that regard as well as in ensuring inclusive development, further highlighted the Minister.
She thus enumerated some key measures implemented to that effect, namely: a medium to long term Marshall Plan to combat poverty and social exclusion in Mauritius and Rodrigues; a monthly Subsistence Allowance to those on the SRM; a child allowance of Rs 957 up to a maximum of three children per house; the School Materials Scheme; a Nursery Scheme of Rs 2000 for unemployed mothers and; professional, vocational and life enhancement education programmes through the NEF.
Training on Aquaponics Culture
The training, an initiative of the NEF, aimed at giving vulnerable single mothers the opportunity to learn a new skill and eventually earn a livelihood through sustainable income generating opportunities. Another objective was also to integrate them in the main stream of society.
The training was held over three sessions in the month of July 2021 and modules comprised both theoretical and practical assessments. The kits, both for backyard and rooftop aquaponics culture, are expected to be installed in the months of September and October 2021 on the ten eligible households.
The project aims to integrate backyard or rooftop aquaponics culture into the daily lives of single women headed vulnerable families with access to low cost, organic local products and to promote food security and livelihood. Its objectives are, notably, to strengthen the capacity of poor communities to become self-reliant and sustain their livelihood; provide practical skill development, training, necessary equipment/tools on income activities chosen by the beneficiaries; create self-employment for their sustainable livelihood and; provide necessary support for formation of self-help groups or cooperatives, micro enterprises and also guide in marketing their products.
