SOME 15 adolescent mothers recently completed a 20-hour life skills training programme that was conducted by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in collaboration with the Carnegie School of Home Economics, which provided skills for life training in cosmetology.

The mothers, who successfully completed the course, were certified and given a start-up kit to aid in the establishment of small businesses in cosmetology. They also received care packages for their children.

Speaking with the Sunday Chronicle, one of the young mothers, who took part in the course, commented on how inspired and encouraged she was by not only the technical skills she learnt, but was touched by the discussions held.

“When I was there I felt very inspired by the teachers, and instructors. I felt like everyone had a story, I listened to two stories and when I heard the story it just makes me want to be strong also. One of the stories was from one of the teachers, who is a single mother, who raised her son on her own and she made it,” said the young lady, who asked to remain anonymous.

Noting that it was not easy for her growing up, the young lady, who hails from the East Coast Demerara, shared that she is really looking forward to using the skills she gained in this course to now open her own business, and making a better life for herself and her child.

“Everyone wants better for their child, so I really want things to be different for her, I want to be there for her. She’s my first child and I’m very much over protective of her,” she shared.

“I had really wanted to do something at home given how hard things are right now. So I’m really looking forward to starting my own business. I am interested in starting a nail business. When I was doing the course they encouraged us, and on completion we got our certificate and a few things [supplies] so that we can practice at home and do something. And these are the opportunities that I really want to grab.”

The 15 mothers enrolled in the programme also learnt coping mechanisms that will all assist them in positive decision making and help to guide their next steps.

“They really talked to us as young mothers and I felt inspired and motivated, because they spoke about things I wanted to hear. They were very patient and understanding in how they reached out to us,” the 21-year-old mother of one commented.

“As a first time mother, there’s so much that you don’t know. There was a lot of things that I had to learn and it took me some time. There’s so much more to being a mother than we think, a whole lot more patience, understanding, putting your child first, that’s all a part of it.”

The programme, which commenced on February 18 and ended last Friday in Georgetown, was held under the theme ‘Young Mothers on The Move: I Am Not What Happened to Me, I Am What I Choose to Become.’
The programme, which was facilitated by the National Health and Family Life Education Coordinator Colleen Cameron, is a part of the ministry’s Reintegration of Adolescent Mothers into the Education System Policy.

The main objective of this initiative is to reach adolescent mothers who have been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Further training is now expected to continue with 30 adolescent mothers from Region Six and 30 from Region Five, who will be pursuing a course in elementary cookery.