THE eight-week Home Economics (Food and Nutrition) programme which was sponsored by Commander ‘A’ Division, Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken for school dropouts of Agricola and environs, is progressing very well in its third week.

The programme which caters for over 25 students between the ages of 15-25 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, is being held at the Home Economics School in Agricola, East Bank Demerara. Students are learning various cooking methods such as

baking; preparing appetizers; making various drinks and learning to cook various dishes.
In the third week (Thursday) into the programme,Commander Hicken visited to see how the programme is progressing; speaking with the Chronicle at the venue, Hicken said that he is impressed with the students’ progress.
He said that he is honoured to be a part of and mainly the producer of the programme: “Giving someone the chance to prove their skills and then visiting back and see more than what you had expected makes you feel confident of yourself. I’m surprised at the work that the students have put out so far, right now I’m really really happy to see what I’m seeing,” Hicken said.

Hicken also said that after the eight weeks of training have been completed, the students will be given a certificate which will also make them branch off on their own and have their products marketed.
“What I have seen here is nice customer service; nothing had caught my eyes but the designing and how the students decorated their stuffs. When you go into the market to buy a bun you will get it, but here at the training programme you are getting it with extra milk and extra cream which is very good,” Hicken said.
The commander also reminded the students about his continuing commitment to help youths and added that he recognised that there is talent in the youths. Additionally, he disclosed that he would be working on a partnership approach with other villages.
Speaking at the training programme also was Officer in Charge of Sub Division Number 2 (East La Penitence Police Outpost – Diamond/Grove Station) Deputy Superintendent Khali Pareshram.Superintendent Pareshram said that it was a great pleasure to be a part of the programme,that he saw talent in the students and that there is a lot more to be done for them.
However the Coordinator/Director of the programme, Ms. Ziska Williams, said that before Hicken approached the community of Agricola to help, many people used to stigmatise the community. She added that she is happy with how her students are working and that she has not encountered any problem on the programme thus far.

She also thanked Hicken for the hard work he has been putting in not only in Agricola, but throughout his division. The director appealed for more sponsors and supporters to come on board for the next training programme,which will commence in January,2015.

(By Asif Hakim)