|  | | Vita Eritrea – Income Generation | | | Income generation is an important means to diversify livelihoods and Vita in Eritrea are working to support communities in a variety of income generating activities. Diversified livelihoods are more resistant to shocks and stresses such as droughts, floods etc. Income generation activities are a means to support food security since money generated can be used to purchase food stuffs and invest in health and education for the family.
Women’s backyard poultry is a very suitable low cost income generating activity for impoverished rural women and in particular women headed households. Small ruminants such as goats are also promoted by Vita.
Peanut butter making is being promoted in Hamelmalo along with palm leaf handicraft work. The market for their products is encouraging with most selling quickly. Women’s traditional skill products such as sisal products and embroidery are also being produced.
In Gash Baraka region in 2008 a total of 360 women were trained on palm leaf weaving, enterprise development and income generation. Vita also supported a market study for the products which was completed towards the end of 2008.
The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development tell us that investing in cleaner household fuels can yield a seven fold economic benefit in health and productivity gains.
To date Vita have supported the installation of over 10,000 improved stoves in Eritrea. The demand from women for improved stoves outstrips Vita’s resources. For example in Gash Barka region the plan was to assist the installation of 5,000 stoves over a four year period. However in two years 8,000 stoves were installed – already surpassing the target by 160%!
In the local language the stoves have been nicknamed by women as ‘Adhanet’ meaning saviour.
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