UNDER the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programme, 76 single parents from Soesdyke and surrounding communities on the East Bank of Demerara graduated and received certificates, yesterday, for a cake decorating and pastry making course.

This six-week course was conducted in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and the Soesdyke Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), and is aimed at empowering women with the necessary skills for self-development and that of their families.

For Dhannyie Austin, this course was a great assistance since she will now be able to earn more money and take care of her family in the comfort of her own home. Austin said she will be taking orders for wedding and birthday cakes.

“I feel proud, happy and excited. When I started the course, I didn’t know anything I came here and learned everything. Now I am equipped with a skill and I feel proud,” said Shirley Gibbons, who will now be able to start her own business.

Meanwhile, Tisheree Taylor said this is her second certificate through this programme. While expressing gratitude to all those who made this programme possible, Taylor said she will now be opening her own cake shop.
Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, addressing the graduands at the event which was held at Camille’s Institute, Soesdyke, stressed Government’s commitment to empowering women to contribute to nation building.

“I believe in what we are doing as a Government to empower women because special emphasis must be placed on women… you are more than an incubator, you are persons with dignity and must be treated as such, a valuable contributor in national development and making the community better,” Minister Edghill said.

He alluded to the fact that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has always included women in policy making. In fact the late Mrs. Janet Jagan served as the first female President of Guyana. Even as the country is preparing for elections, the prime ministerial candidate is also a woman.
Edghill also mentioned some of the opportunities that Government has created for women through the Women of Worth (WOW) programme, where more than 1000 women were able to access loans to start up a business.

Giving access to financing is one thing, but if one lacks the skill they may not succeed. According to Minister Edghill, the BIT programme has provided an opportunity for women to receive the skills needed for them to venture into their business.

“In the Ministry of Human Services there is a special department for dealing with women, the Women’s Affairs Bureau. There are women leading in all sectors, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and agriculture…women have their individual responsibility, and are contributing to the development of Guyana. Gone are the days when women were confined to being housewives,” Minister Edghill further noted.

He urged the women to move forward and develop themselves and don’t let their past define the future. “Your future is not determined by your past. The future is determined by the choices you make today. Out of this group, you might be the pastry chef at the hotels that will be built as a result of the extended runway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) or you will be the cake decorating person for the next wedding…you must see yourself there,” Minister Edghill told the gathering.
Coordinator Rima Rohee, said the programme has been having great reviews, and has been impacting many single parent women. She encouraged the graduands to take the skills back to their communities and empower other women.

Recently, 50 women graduated under this programme in floral decoration. (GINA)