EPWP Participants Bring Hope to the Community of Evaton

EPWP Participants Bring Hope to the Community of Evaton

Last week, the Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) conducted site inspections in conjunction with??the Departments of Social Development and Community Safety as part of??our Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) coordination role. The Chief Directorate, EPWP has embarked on the inspection of EPWP projects across Gauteng to raise programme awareness and engage with EPWP participants.?

This multi-sectoral EPWP team inspected the Reach Out community project, a social sector project situated in Evaton which houses an Early Childhood Development Centre, computer lab, Gender Based Violence and Health Centre and community nutrition programme. The Director EPWP, Kgabo Sebina encouraged EPWP participants, “The EPWP has provided hope and dignity to those seeking better employment opportunities. Previous programme participants have utilised their stipends to access further education and are now qualified nurses and social workers. Some exited and attained permanent employment at Palms Mall, a local development. The EPWP accelerates Gauteng’s economic recovery, through the placement of participants in catalytic projects, they are able to gain skills and experience allowing them to enter the formal sector of our economy”.

Several EPWP participants took this opportunity to share their accomplishments. According to?Linda Xaba, “The EPWP has had a positive impacted on my life. I was unemployed and never got an opportunity to further my studies however through this programme I got the chance to become a professional Child Care worker and assist my community. I am proud to be helping my community through feeding children and assisting them with their homework”.?Dikeledi Honoko?said, “My participation in the EPWP has benefited my family and community. I was not able to go to university and it was hard getting a job. This programme has given me a purpose, it has ensured that the needs of families in my community are responded to including psycho-social support and by providing nutritional support so that no family goes to sleep hungry”.?Pule Selai added, “The EPWP has helped me gain knowledge, develop leadership skills and understand how to interact with the community. I have come to learn how to navigate issues such as addiction, peer pressure and bullying. The stipend that I am receiving is helping me significantly!”