ABOUT 240 community members of Oshifo village near Ruacana are soon to harvest mahangu from three hectares planted with the support of electricity utility NamPower.

The company donated N$400 000 to the Imangulula Group, which consists mainly of HIV-positive and unemployed people, to fence in the land and plant mahangu and beans.

Villagers nearby who own tractors volunteered to plough the three hectares.

NamPower took reporters to Oshifo last Friday to see the proud results.

The people want to diversify their crops to grow mangos, papayas and oranges to improve their diet and to sell the surplus on markets.

All HIV-positive beneficiaries are on anti-retroviral medication.

According to John Kaimu, Marketing Manager of NamPower, the company was approached in 2006 by the Omusati Regional HIV-AIDS Coordinator Abraham Ndapuka and the community.

Regional Councillor Kornelius Lazarus facilitated the donation of the land.

The people also want to start a brick-making project to build a shed for the garden implements and they hope to get sewing machines donated to them so that they can make their own clothes and school uniforms for the children with the aim to eventually sell clothes and uniforms.

Environment News