OUR Economic impact
Our economic development projects
Uplifting the village
The history, cultural diversity, biodiversity and skills available to capitalise upon in the defined area of Sir Lowry’s Pass, led to a tourism based business concept as a solution to preserve our history, our culture and our bio-diverse environment and simultaneously assist and up-lift an impoverished community of Sir Lowry’s Pass.
The Project aims to assist in the creation of permanent employment through the development of sustainable community projects and the development of and support for emerging micro- and small business enterprises.
The Project is long-term and as it develops, so many more permanent job opportunities and SMME opportunities will emerge. This will involve a strong focus on Youth Empowerment through facilitation of transportable skills as well as business skills, and Empowerment of Women by utilising, enhancing and developing skills to enable them to actively participate in and enhance the economy of the area.
The broad needs of the community that will be addressed are:
- Unemployment: Lack of skills, unemployable skills, lack of or inability to access employment opportunities.
- Personal development: History of discrimination, preservation of cultural norms and beliefs and their role in society, will be addressed in terms of a new globalised world; as well as the preparation of individuals to contribute to the community in a sustainable manner.
- Community development: Sharing of resources, and promotion of innovation, aligning the community to global developments (e.g., ITC) to provide opportunities for growth and development.
- Empowerment of Women: By empowering women to actively participate in the economy of the area and make contribution to improving the health and welfare of their families and the community
- Youth Empowerment: Involving youth in projects and extra-mural activities through dance, drama, music and crafts and to empower youth with computer literacy and basic business skills.
- Education: To encourage education at all levels, as a solution to poverty.
By addressing the needs above, and through community networks, the influence on the community will extend to other basic areas of need, being:
- Survival: Food security, shelter, personal security and access to social services.
- Health and welfare: Prevalence and spread of HIV/AIDS/COVID9, access to health services, health and nutritional education.
- Safety and security: Domestic violence, crime, access to and education re legal structures and systems.