Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment

In 2003, 30 poor elderly community members were supported to improve their livelihoods through sisal product processing — doormats, rope, suspension flower nets, and first- and second-grade fibers. A grain mill was also established for 15 poor rural women, who generated income from the milling service.

Building on this, livelihood improvement schemes were designed for 740 youth and wider community members through micro-enterprise development: 20 unemployed urban youth organized into metal and wood work, while 124 poor families engaged in sheep rearing. Pioneers of the initiative received 50 dairy cows and a milk processing machine and organized into a milk producers' association, while others accessed savings and credit services.

RLDO also conducted rural-appropriate vocational skill training — bamboo crafts, pottery, and candle making — benefiting 90 unemployed rural youth and adults, alongside work-ethics and natural resource management training for 600 community members.