THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has reported that single parent women are at the top of the list seeking assistance to acquire skills.At her end-of-year press conference, in the Ministry’s Boardroom, Minister Jennifer Webster said that, for the year 2013, women have tapped into the ‘Women of Worth’ (WOW) programme which assists mostly single mothers to secure other resources, as well, to become self-sufficient.

She said, among the areas in which they have shown keen interests are cosmetology, catering, poultry rearing and information technology.
Minister Webster acknowledged that the ministry failed to stick to its plan of implementing the scheme in Regions 1 (Barima/Waini) and 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) due to unforeseen circumstances which it encountered.
However, despite that setback, there was still overwhelming response to the programme by the other regions which saw several new loan recipients and second and third time borrowers, through the collaboration between the ministry and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).
To date, the ministry has been able to service 1,326 women who have accessed loans and, in some cases, even expanded their operations under what the minister described as a revolutionary micro-credit scheme which allows women to access collateral free loans ranging between $100,000 and $200,000.
Of the total number of people who were able to secure loans for the year, 447 were single mothers who were trained and certified in skilled areas.
Giving a breakdown, Webster said cosmetology courses were done by 10 persons from Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam); 34 from Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara); 58 from Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica); 20 from Region 5(Mahaica/Berbice); Eight from Region 6(East Berbice/Corentyne) and 10 from Region 10(Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).
Garment making saw 26 from Region 3, 43 from Region 4, nine from Region 5, sixteen from Region 6 and 15 from Region 10.
Forty-nine persons in Region 3, 51 in Region 4, 11 in Regions 5 and 6 in Region 10 took the catering course.
Written By Leroy Smith