Youth from Western Region have been urged to apply for government funding in large numbers in a bid to improve their livelihoods.
Speaking to KNA after presiding over issuance of Uwezo Fund cheques to groups from Sabatia Constituency, Western Region Coordinator of Youth affairs Nyakwamba Kajwang challenged youth to abandon the long held negative beliefs associated with loans and take advantage of opportunities availed by the government to better their living standards.
He added that success favors the risk takers, stressing that even successful economies in the world are those who were ready to venture into loans.
He revealed that repayment of the loans has been a challenge in the region as he hailed Mumias East Constituency for proper utilization of the fund saying that the Constituency is in its tenth phase.
“Since this is a revolving fund its repayment on time helps others get assistance. From this Region, Mumias East has done so well because its turnover is so high. Others are Malava, Lurambi and Teso South,” he said.
Present during the exercise was Sabatia Sub County Youth Officer Vanolyne Ngaywa who urged the beneficiaries to put into practice the guidelines of the trainings they had been undertaken through and venture into table banking, a practice she said will enable them repay the funds with ease.
Ngaywa appealed to the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the program at the same time maintain telephone contacts for easy follow-up.
The chairperson of one of the benefitting groups, AWA Women Group Jessica Musimbi hailed the government for the program and promised that they will use the funds prudently to start programs which will help them kick out poverty.
However, she urged the government to expedite the process of vetting applicants to enable the funds to be released on time.
During the exercise, a total of Sh 3.7 million from Sabatia Constituency Uwezo Fund kitty was handed over to 53 self-help groups among them 41 women self-help groups, 11 youth groups and one group for People Living with Disabilities.
From the 53 groups, 47 were benefitting for the first time whereas the rest had benefited before.
By Isaiah Nayika
