Epworth Local Board partners European Union in empowerment initiatives to curb crime, drug and substance abuse in the area
…vows to tackle crime, drug and substance abuse through empowerment projects
By Kudzai Jakachira
Harare-The Epworth Local Board through funding from the European Union
is on a drive to reduce the crime rate and abuse of drug and
substance in the community by setting up income generating projects
which empower the youths and Small to Medium entrepreneurs of the
Harare East suburb.
To this end, the Epworth Local Authority in conjunction with the European Union has
set up a Community Enterprise Resource Center with state of the art
machinery used to design steel and manufacture wood carvings. The Resoirce Centre is
open to youths and small and medium scale entrepreneurs who are into steel
manufacturing and wood designing, and those willing to train in the
profession at low affordable fees.
The European Union successfully funded the setting up of a Community
Enterprise Resource Center in Epworth at the tune of 130 000 Euros, to
empower youths who are into steel making and wood designing as well
as training those who intend to venture into the trade by donating
state of the art machinery used to manufacture attractive steel and
wood products.
Epworth Local Board Town Secretary Dr Wilton Mhanda confirmed the development saying the initiative was going to go a long way in
empowering youths in the high density suburb thereby reducing criminal
activities and drug and substance abuse in the area.
“We received a shot in the arm from the European Union to the tune of
130 000 Euros which was used to set up a Community Enterprise Resource
Center which has state of the art machinery which design steel and
wood,” said Dr Mhanda.
“This will help our children in the community to manufacture steel
products and design attractive wood products thereby reducing crime in
the area as well as reducing the abuse of drugs and substances.”
Substance-abusing youth are at higher risk than non-users for mental
health problems, including depression, conduct problems, personality
disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide.
