Residents of Omatako Village in the Tsumkwe Constituency turned out in large numbers for a skills training programme on soap and perfume making.

The two-day training, offered through the Adult Learning Programme, targets 60 unemployed residents to give them practical skills.
  
The workshop facilitator, Wilbard Kudumo, said the initiative aimed to empower participants with skills to produce soap and perfume products, creating opportunities for self-employment and small business development.
  
"The concept is about providing training and skills development. What they do with the products they sell is also part of the learning process, as it teaches them about income generation and financial management. The funds they earn can then be used at their discretion.”
 
Some of the youth also expressed their interest in the training.

“I came to join the training so that I could learn how to make soap and perfume. It will help me and my fellow youth to make our own products and sell them in our community instead of going to town to buy them," said Fransina Otto from Omatako Village.
 
Some of the teachers from Omatako Primary School also attended the training.

"I am very interested in learning how to make these products so that I can create my own dishwashing liquid at home. I also want to teach the young people we are training so that they can pass this knowledge on to their families and communities,” said Hailongo Fillipus.
 
Tsumkwe Constituency Councillor Petrus Mutji encouraged the participants.
 
"These are products related to hygiene. If you can make your own soap, there is no need to travel to Grootfontein to buy it. Likewise, you do not need to go to Grootfontein to purchase perfume. These products can be made locally, creating opportunities for people to support one another and helping to develop a local market.”