–through Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s ‘Empowerment Fund’

THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, through its “Empowerment Fund”, has invested $49.7 million to support persons from hinterland regions who are either already in business, or are considering the feasibility of investing in any commercial activity.

The Empowerment Fund is a collaborative effort between the ministry and the World Food Programme (WFP), which seeks to help persons expand or start a business with $50,000. To date, some 995 persons from various communities have benefitted from this initiative.

Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) had the largest number of beneficiaries with a whopping 367 persons across two phases.

Another 245 recipients came from Region One (Barima-Waini), with 76 in Moraikobai, 73 in Mabaruma, 72 in Baramita, and 24 in Port Kaituma. Meanwhile, Regions Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) had 192 and 191 recipients respectively.

According to Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud, “The Ministry is committed to empowering women across the country, and we have managed to do so in a very significant way through the collaboration between WFP and the ministry, utilising the WIIN programme where women have been trained.”

As she went on to say: “I was very heartened to listen to women say they had plans to start their own businesses, so the cash grants given were perfect stimuli for them to help in beginning their businesses. We look forward to tracking those women to see what improvements they would have made towards their own income, and towards helping them to sustain their businesses.”

Project Coordinator Mahendra Budhram said the hinterland regions have shown good responses, with an inspiring collection rate.

“It is heartwarming to see persons coming out to receive this grant, because they can now take the next step of starting to develop themselves, and putting the money towards a business that they would have wanted to embark on,” he said.

Among the youngest of recipients was 12-year-old Baramita resident, Ashanna Fredericks, who completed the computer studies training where she was proficient in Microsoft Office. With the grant, she said that she plans to buy a laptop and a printer to open a document centre in her community.

Paramakatoi’s Val Ann Edwin, 27, highlighted that she’s applied for the cosmetology course, because there is no existing service of this nature in her community, and as such she sees the potential of in investing in such a business there.

Social Activist Claudia Fraser, who recently returned from Venezuela, said that having completed a few courses in nail technology and hair styling, she will be looking to buy supplies for her business while providing a safe space for women in Port Kaituma.