FARM VERDRUK – Sebulon Hansen (49) of farm Verdruk some 4 kilometres north of Groot Aub was indeed a happy man on Wednesday. The reason behind his happiness is because he was told he is one of sixteen people at the farm to benefit from a government scheme aimed at poverty alleviation. He is now the proud owner of five goats. “I am very happy, I don’t even know what to say. It is the first time that I own livestock. For many years I dreamt of owning my own livestock, so that even if I die my children would have something to inherit and today that dream has come true,” said Hansen in disbelief.
The unemployed father of nine says he has lived on the farm since he was about 10-years-old and has done odd jobs here and there, but was never formally employed in his life. “I spend ten years in prison. I don’t really have work experience, except for farming and I will take good care of my goats that is if they are not stolen,” Hansen added. Hansen is one of many beneficiaries in the three farms in the Khomas Rural constituency who on Wednesday benefitted from the government scheme.
The Khomas Regional Council purchased 350 goats that were distributed to people of the three farms situated in the Khomas Rural constituency. The farms are Areb (95 goats), Versailles (175 goats) and Verdruk (80 goats). Sixteen individuals at farm Verdruk each received five goats and the councillor of the Moses //Garoëb constituency, Martin David, who officiated at the occasion said they would receive an additional five goats or sheep in the next three months. Before the handover ceremony commenced the rain started pouring, a sign some beneficiaries said signifies a blessing from God. Councillor David said the government would like to cater for everyone, but due to limited resources only some people were selected. He told the beneficiaries that they would give back the five goats to the government in March 2016. The goats would then be distributed to other needy community members. It is expected that by that period the livestock would have multiplied. “Accept the little that government has given you to fight poverty,” said David, who urged the beneficiaries to take good care of their goats. The beneficiaries could not contain their joy and praised government for thinking about them. “It may look like the government does not care about us, but indeed they do. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the donation here today. We are happy for the rain and goats that God has given us. You can go to my kraal today, I have no livestock just chickens but today I am the proud owner of goats,” said beneficiary Lauda Eiman.
By Alvine Kapitako