Economic Strengthening through Partnerships

Dishwasher Manufacturing Training, Oshikoto Region

Support group–led income-generating activities (IGAs) are an effective pathway toward improved livelihoods, greater economic stability, and the promotion of self-sustaining practices. Through strategic partnerships with local and government stakeholders, Tonata has successfully expanded and diversified IGA opportunities for support group members.

A notable success of was the training of 158 support group members in the production and marketing of dishwashing soap. This initiative has enabled participants to establish small-scale businesses, generating income to support their households while also contributing to the sustainability of their monthly group forums. The training was facilitated and funded by ELCIN’s Department of Diakonia, Mission and Social Services, whose continued collaboration has been instrumental in building participants’ practical business skills.

Youth Beadwork Training

A beading skills training was conducted specifically for youth, equipping them with the ability to design and produce a variety of marketable items, including jewelry, key holders, handbags, and Bible covers. Beyond production skills, the training emphasized entrepreneurship and scalability, empowering young participants to generate income and to further extend these skills by training their peers within the community.

Poultry Farming Training & Update

As part of ongoing stakeholder engagement efforts, three support groups trained by Ongwediva Rural Development Centre (RDC) have successfully established poultry farming projects and are now generating income through the sale of eggs and chickens.

This initiative has demonstrated tangible progress in strengthening community-based livelihoods. Starting with just 20 chickens in 2024, the groups have more than doubled their stock, reflecting both strong commitment and effective application of the skills acquired during training. The growth of the enterprise has enabled the groups to reach important milestones, including hiring a security guard to safeguard their investment and opening a bank account to manage weekly income deposits—an important step toward financial inclusion and sustainability. Buoyed by their success, the groups have developed plans to further expand their poultry operations and diversify into gardening and orchard production.

Members of the support groups have expressed great enthusiasm and appreciation for the program introduced by RDC through Tonata PLHIV Network.