By Indrawattie Natram

SCORES of mothers living in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region came out looking polished and refined on May 8 after they were treated to a makeover. According to Manager of the Guyana Foundation Sunrise Centre, Ms. Meenawattie, the cosmetologist class of the foundation decided to extend its services to mothers in Essequibo for Mother’s Day.

Meenawattie said the students came up with the idea to offer free facials, manicures and pedicures. She said that was the first event of its kind aimed at creating a “fresh, glowing” look for mothers.

Ladies were treated to a special facial, pedicure and manicure by students of the foundation. Meenawattie said that the participants of the cosmetologist course are currently conducting their assessment/final for their certificate and the outreach will prepare them for their future.

“We at the foundation are trying to equip females with a special skill. This batch of females are taught cosmetology, then we have catering classes ongoing on the island of Wakenaam, Tie-Dying at Mashabo and soon we will offer sewing. These skills- training programmes are all geared at empowering women, so that they can operate their own businesses and earn for themselves,” Meenawattie said.

The woman stated that she can see the joy in the faces of the females who were pampered. She also thanked the participants of the course for volunteering their services to the community.

Facilitator of the course, Gem Britton, said she is proud of all her students. At the moment she said the cosmetologist class has approximately 24 females enrolled. The classes commenced in February and will conclude sometime in June. The cosmetologist teacher said she admires the zest and determinations of the young ladies who are always eager to learn. She also encourages other females who have a passion for cosmetology to enrol for the next class, which will commence in June. The certificate course usually lasts for three months.

Participants of the class and budding cosmetologists Nafeeza and Natasha Silly said that the experience they gained from the course is truly life-changing. Both explained that they already have their salon, but whatever knowledge they have gathered will help them in the future with their businesses.

A very excited mother, Priya Singh from Hibernia, related that she was very satisfied with the facial, pedicure and manicure she received. She commended the participants of the course for the initiative and said that she felt very special. Singh came out smiling after her special treat.

Another mother, Uraina Success, was very happy also. When asked how was the feeling she said, “I feel all polished and renewed; this is my first facial and it was so good I felt like sleeping on the chair. It was good to have the ladies pampering me, this is very memorable for me.”

Scores of ladies were pampered from 10:00 to 16:00hrs on May 8. All of them singing high praises to the Guyana Foundation Sunrise Centre for reaching out in such a meaningful way to the community.