A GROUP of women from communities in Region 10 have wrapped up a four-day “Self Reliance and Success in Business” workshop which was rolled out under the auspices of the Office of the First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger. The First Lady who was present at the launch last week in Linden, yesterday returned to the mining town at the Blueberry Hill Secondary School, where the closing ceremony was held. In her brief remarks to the participants, she lauded them for staying the course as she committed to offering further assistance to the group in an effort to help them realise their true business potential.
“We hope to see you as success stories and hope you can help and guide others, and in that way help to give back to your communities,” the First Lady told the participants.
Mrs Granger was very encouraged by the commitment and keen interest shown by the participants in the workshop. She said she was pleased that they had chosen to clean their surroundings as their community project. The participants were also urged to become active players in their respective villages and to work along with the regional and local authorities in an effort to build and strengthen their communities.
Meanwhile, one of the participants, Montayne Solomon, lauded the initiative, stating that the community had been starved of such programmes. “This is the platform to extend our knowledge and to go forward in our business ventures. Your initiative was well received,” Solomon told the First Lady.
The workshop, which was opened on October 20 last, was facilitated by Wayne Barrow of Interweave Solutions, which is a Non-Governmental Organisation that helps local organisations and congregations to develop and create self-reliance by providing them with the necessary training to implement and promote their own business plans.
The aim of these workshops is to empower women and teach them to manage and sustain their small entrepreneurial ventures. Over the coming days, the participants will be guided through a model that focuses on three key life areas: business, home and community.
As outlined by the facilitator, when the strengths of these three spheres come together, every circle is made stronger through education, and this will enable people to achieve the social and economic self-reliance essential to growth and development. The first workshop was held at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara with a total of 15 persons. A graduation ceremony will be held next week at State House for all the successful participants.