Background | Welfare | Vocational Training | Small Business Start-Up
Helping people start-up or expand existing small businesses is another important feature of the work of Bridges of Hope. In Gantsi there are few opportunities for secure long term employment due to the lack of major industry, tourism etc and piece work is often not reliable and low paid. The Botswana government encourages young people to consider starting small businesses by providing grants of up to P50,000 (current roughly $8300). However, these grants will only be awarded to proposals which have a strong and well thought out business plan. This can be a daunting task to someone who has left school early and has a poor command of English. Bridges of Hope staff help people in the application process.
Other schemes to which Bridges of Hope staff support applicants include loan applications for those to old to qualify for youth support and veterinary department schemes which provide small stock for destitute people. Often the role can be to direct an applicant to "official" help provided by government advisors or to provide IT and communication support for advertising or the gathering of quotations.
Many of the Basarwa (Bushmen) who live in the communities around Gantsi make the traditional jewellery, dress and equipment which forms part of their cultural identity. Such items are highly marketable to tourists as souvenirs. Currently the makers of these products have very little access to the tourist market within Ghanzi District nor do they have the funds to establish links to more touristy areas. Bridges of Hope are currently working alongside the producers helping them to establish links to outlets in places such as Maun. To see a catalogue of some of the crafts made by the Basarwa (Bushmen) download the word document below.
Craft catalogue.doc (8 Mb)
Q'ano Q'ano Cleaning Services
Q'ano Q'ano Cleaning services is a small business setup in March 2008 by a group of 5 young people. With the help of Bridges of Hope they were able to create a business plan, produce advertising material and apply for funding. The business now has a number of regular clients and provides employment to these people. A number of the group are openly HIV positive and now provide an example and hope to others in the community.
