Women joiners from the communities of Bagotville, Nismes and La Grange, West Demerara graduated last Saturday from the Rotary Club of Stabroek, a release from the club said.
Fifty women were part of a project implemented by the club with support from Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Inter-national Trade and designed to help disadvantaged parents. It also turned out to be one where an all-women group is now equipped to earn an income that would enable them to bring dignity to their lives and those of their dependants.
It also provided participants with opportunities to address their own personal challenges of abuse, poverty and dependency on others, the club said in the release, while adding that a crucial support structure was its flexibility regarding the women’s availability for training.
President of the club, Luana Falconer, explained that the project sought to equip unemployed parents with skills such as sewing, fabric design, joinery, complementary life skills and etiquette training over a four- month period. Falconer said that she was disappointed that no males registered for the programme but added that the initiative was one that empowered the participants and encouraged them to utilize their new skills in shaping their future.
Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Human Services, Patrick Findlay, also told the participants not to sit on their knowledge but to make use of job placement programmes and the Women of Worth micro credit scheme, both of which fall under his ministry, the release stated.
The choice of joinery by some women is an indication that women should be afforded equal opportunity in trade training, the release said. The women will serve as role models to others and as an innovative example of how to increase the representation of women in trades and occupations the club added.
The release also said that some of the women attested that the training offered them a chance for a better future. One participant, Nalini Dowlat said that “learning to sew and attending the etiquette and counseling sessions have enabled me to build my self confidence” while Tekla Douglas said that “…attending the joinery classes has empowered me to open my joinery shop.”
