Latest news with #ConstituencyDevelopmentFund
Scoop
07-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
East Makira Constituency Delivers Livelihood Assistance To Empower Rural Communities
Press Release – Solomon Islands Ministry of Rural Development This initiative underscores the governments ongoing commitment to uplifting rural communities and fostering sustainable development, especially in EMC under the leadership of the Member of Parliament and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Honourable … The East Makira Constituency (EMC) office has successfully delivered the remaining Constituency Development Fund (CDF)-funded livelihood assistance and projects to recipients across EMC. This initiative underscores the government's ongoing commitment to uplifting rural communities and fostering sustainable development, especially in EMC under the leadership of the Member of Parliament and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi. From May 21st to 25th, 2025, EMC Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Mr. Timan Tauni facilitated the distribution of these vital projects to beneficiaries in their respective communities. The assistance is part of a larger $3.7 million livelihood support program delivered to communities and churches in East Makira Constituency earlier this year. Key highlights of the livelihood assistance include: Solar Energy for Vulnerable Groups: A total of 227 solar sets were distributed, with 114 sets allocated to Ward 12 and 113 sets to Ward 17. Priority was given to older adults, widows, and people living with disabilities, ensuring they have access to reliable lighting. 'Solar lights are transformative for rural communities. They enhance safety, improve health, and enable economic activities after dark, all while being environmentally sustainable,' Mr. Tauni explained. Boosting Fisheries and Transportation: Four fishing boats equipped with outboard motor engines (OBMs) were provided to support local fisheries. A transportation project and a fuel depot project were also delivered to address logistical challenges in the region. Edward Kwasi, a fishery project recipient from Santa Catalina Island, shared, 'This OBM will help my family expand our fishing business, meet school fees, and improve our livelihoods. Fishing is our way of life, and this support is a dream come true.' Fuel Depot for Reliable Energy Access: Mr. Chris Wago, a fuel depot recipient from Natorara Village (Ward 17), emphasised the project's importance: 'Fuel shortages have long hindered our fishermen. This depot will ensure a steady supply, support local businesses, and help families like mine thrive.' All recipients signed the 'Recipient Agreement' under Section 19 of the new CDF Act 2023, formalising their commitment to maintain and utilise the projects for their intended purposes. Mr. Tauni urged beneficiaries to safeguard these assets, stating, 'The sustainability of these initiatives lies in your hands. They are not just for personal benefit but for the broader development of East Makira.' Meanwhile, recipients expressed deep appreciation to the national government through EMC Office and Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi for their unwavering support. 'These projects are more than just assistance—they are opportunities to uplift our families, communities, and the entire constituency,' remarked one beneficiary. The CDF program, facilitated by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), continues to drive social and economic progress in rural Solomon Islands by funding income-generating projects, infrastructure, and essential services.
Scoop
07-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
East Makira Constituency Delivers Livelihood Assistance To Empower Rural Communities
The East Makira Constituency (EMC) office has successfully delivered the remaining Constituency Development Fund (CDF)-funded livelihood assistance and projects to recipients across EMC. This initiative underscores the government's ongoing commitment to uplifting rural communities and fostering sustainable development, especially in EMC under the leadership of the Member of Parliament and Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi. From May 21st to 25th, 2025, EMC Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Mr. Timan Tauni facilitated the distribution of these vital projects to beneficiaries in their respective communities. The assistance is part of a larger $3.7 million livelihood support program delivered to communities and churches in East Makira Constituency earlier this year. Key highlights of the livelihood assistance include: Solar Energy for Vulnerable Groups: A total of 227 solar sets were distributed, with 114 sets allocated to Ward 12 and 113 sets to Ward 17. Priority was given to older adults, widows, and people living with disabilities, ensuring they have access to reliable lighting. "Solar lights are transformative for rural communities. They enhance safety, improve health, and enable economic activities after dark, all while being environmentally sustainable," Mr. Tauni explained. Boosting Fisheries and Transportation: Four fishing boats equipped with outboard motor engines (OBMs) were provided to support local fisheries. A transportation project and a fuel depot project were also delivered to address logistical challenges in the region. Edward Kwasi, a fishery project recipient from Santa Catalina Island, shared, "This OBM will help my family expand our fishing business, meet school fees, and improve our livelihoods. Fishing is our way of life, and this support is a dream come true." Fuel Depot for Reliable Energy Access: Mr. Chris Wago, a fuel depot recipient from Natorara Village (Ward 17), emphasised the project's importance: "Fuel shortages have long hindered our fishermen. This depot will ensure a steady supply, support local businesses, and help families like mine thrive." All recipients signed the 'Recipient Agreement' under Section 19 of the new CDF Act 2023, formalising their commitment to maintain and utilise the projects for their intended purposes. Mr. Tauni urged beneficiaries to safeguard these assets, stating, "The sustainability of these initiatives lies in your hands. They are not just for personal benefit but for the broader development of East Makira." Meanwhile, recipients expressed deep appreciation to the national government through EMC Office and Honourable Franklyn Derek Wasi for their unwavering support. "These projects are more than just assistance—they are opportunities to uplift our families, communities, and the entire constituency," remarked one beneficiary. The CDF program, facilitated by the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), continues to drive social and economic progress in rural Solomon Islands by funding income-generating projects, infrastructure, and essential services.
The Star
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Feature: Kenyan youth embrace digital skills amid growing gig economy
NAIROBI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Sitting on a plastic chair at an information and communications technology (ICT) center in Ndhiwa town, about 366 km from Nairobi, Kenya's capital, Jackline Juma's fingers move swiftly as she taps on the computer keyboard. The 19-year-old high school graduate occasionally glances at the computer screen to check for errors before continuing to type. "I came to this center for training after completing Form Four in 2024 so that I can gain digital skills to use in life," Juma said. She said that without acquiring these skills, she would struggle to advance her education, find a job, or even communicate effectively. Juma is one of many young people in rural areas who visit such centers across the East African nation daily, eager to acquire new skills that can help them benefit from the growing opportunities in the gig economy. At the centers, the youth immerse themselves in various digital literacy programs, ranging from basic computer skills to more advanced ones such as coding, online entrepreneurship, data entry, virtual assistance, app and web development, and graphic design. The skills they are acquiring are helping them explore new career paths in the gig economy, including freelancing, digital content creation, virtual assistance, online surveys, transcription, and data entry. Kevin Aroka, manager of the ICT center, said the free training offered under the government-run Ajira Digital Program is equipping young people with essential digital skills. "Many youth now know that traditional employment opportunities have shrunk and are therefore exploring digital careers such as transcribing, content creation, and data entry," he said. The training, Aroka added, not only enhances their digital literacy but also prepares them for the expanding gig economy. Besides the courses that help the youth earn money online, Aroka said they also teach financial literacy and online work safety. He said that there are three other such centers in Ndhiwa, each training at least 50 students every three months. "Here in Kosewe, we have trained about 3,394 young people; in Kobodo, 1,930; in Ratanga, 2,851; and in Pala, 900. This has been over about two years, and many of them are now earning from the gig economy," he said, noting that the training is supported by the area's Constituency Development Fund. According to Aroka, one of the notable jobs completed by the center's digital skills graduates was transcribing documents for the Judiciary. "The learners were earning up to 25,000 shillings (about 193 U.S. dollars) a month from the work. This encouraged many others to enroll in the program, and now a good number are earning from online jobs," he said. The training program is one of the Kenyan government's job creation initiatives. So far, the government has established over 400 ICT centers across the country, providing training in online work opportunities, including freelancing and digital marketing, to over 500,000 people, according to John Tanui, principal secretary of the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy. Kenyan President William Ruto said recently that his government is using digital technology and innovation to create jobs and address the unemployment challenge in the country, where 30 percent of young people are jobless. The goal, he said, is to create a community of digital workers across Kenya, making it easier for global firms to hire young people in the country. According to the Mastercard Foundation, some 1.2 million Kenyan workers, most of whom operate informally, are employed in the gig economy, which is estimated to be worth 109 million dollars annually. For Brighton Odhiambo, one of the trainees, the future of work in Kenya, as in many parts of the world, is online. He said he plans to learn as many digital skills as possible so he can become versatile and earn a good income from the gig economy.
