On Monday morning, thirty-three young people from Sophia assembled in the Cummings Park Multi-Purpose Centre to participate in the 16th Self Reliance and Success in Business Workshop.
According to a press release from the Ministry of the Presidency, the participants, many of whom are young and unemployed, were selected to participate in the training programme in order to empower them to create employment for themselves and enhance their community.
The workshop is a collaboration between the Office of the First Lady and the Ministry of Social Protection.
Delivering opening remarks, Regional Chairman, Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four) Genevieve Allen, praised the participants for capitalising on the opportunity. She also commended First Lady, Sandra Granger, for taking a special interest in the youth of Sophia and for providing an opportunity for them to access training, the release stated.
According to the release, several participants expressed the hope that the workshop will improve their ability to grow or start their own businesses. Nicola Gonsalves, a business owner of ‘E’ Field, Sophia said that she was pleased that the First Lady has brought the workshop to her. “A lot of women around the communities they need something like this because they are trying to [start] their own businesses, but they don’t have… the facility, they don’t have the finances so this will be a great opportunity for [them,] to come and learn more about [how to] run their business,” the release quoted her as saying.
Lorraine Pearson, also of ‘E’ Field, Sophia, expressed similar sentiments. “I have plans [to start] my own business… but with this programme I feel that I can go ahead about [my business]. I am grateful and thanks to the First Lady and the organisers,” the release quoted her as saying.
Abram Stokes of Buxton said that while he does not have immediate plans to become an entrepreneur, he is currently unemployed and decided to participate in the workshop to augment his skills. “I am home doing nothing and my step mother encouraged me to try it to see if it could better me… Now that I am getting the opportunity, it’s best I think about [starting my own business]. I feel very pleased and happy to know that there are people looking out for me and other people like me and giving us the opportunity to better our lives and our families as well,” the release quoted him as saying.
The five-day workshop, which is held in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection, will close on Friday after which each participant who has completed the syllabus will be given a recognised certificate.
