The 143 graduates of a Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme were taken by surprise when they received more than just their certificates on graduation day at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI), Cove and John, East Coast Demerara.
According to a Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MoHSSS) release, when the women turned up yesterday to collect their certificates they were astounded to hear the minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, announce that they would also be given a grant of $50,000 each to assist them in starting up their businesses.
The grants were made possible through an initiative called the ‘Empowerment Fund. According to the release, Global Affairs Canada gave funds to the World Food Programme Caribbean Multi Country Office which in turn enabled the Guyana Government to access a grant of US$1.2 million. Further, some 4,760 women who participated in the WIIN training programme across the country will be able to benefit from the Fund.
The criteria for qualifying for the grant were developed by World Food Programme. The beneficiaries will be persons from the WIIN programme who need help with their businesses, are unemployed, or earn less than the minimum wage.
“Stringent criteria was used to ensure transparency and determination of the beneficiaries, we want to make sure that you get every penny of what was earmarked for you. I want you to take every penny and use it wisely,” Dr Persaud urged, adding, “So you are not only leaving here with an accredited certificate but with a financial grant to get you started.”
The Minister told the awardees that there were opportunities at their disposal if they would only embrace them. “I wanted to make sure that you had tangible support,” she said, adding, “It is our initial investment in you financially as the government seeks to empower women, encourage women to be their own bosses, and give them a kick start to start their businesses.”
Coordinator of the project, Mahendra Budhram, disclosed that so far, 80 persons have uplifted the grant and the MoHSSS will be moving through all of the other regions over the course of the next nine days to distribute the remainder.
Several women spoke of how the training and the unexpected grant has positively impacted their lives.
Twenty-nine-year-old Nini France shared that for a long time now, she wanted to move her ideas forward but just didn’t have the money. A single parent to two boys, ages 9 and 7, Nini is from Kuru Kururu and loves cooking. “I also love caring for children. It’s something that I really wanted to do and couldn’t. I am now overjoyed I am able to do it. I don’t have words to explain.”
Fareeda Rasheid, a 25-year-old resident of Enmore, East Coast Demerara, also a single parent ever since her child was born seven years ago said, “It was tough. I have worked, stopped, went through so much, and this is my first achievement toward my goal and I wish that I can continue to move on ahead.”
Naudia Simmons of Kitty echoed similar sentiments and remarked that the training she received has equipped her with the skill and knowledge required for employment. “The level of training during this period was very beneficial. What I love most about it was that they offered continuous support after the training.”
The programme which began last May in Baramita, Barima-Waini, Region One, has seen some 1,533 persons in all ten administrative regions benefitting from training in a number of subject areas such as: Care for the Elderly, Child Care, Patient Care, Information Technology, Graphics Designing, Photography, Garment Construction, and Business Administration.
While 2,000 persons are expected to complete training under WIIN by the end of this year, Dr Persaud noted that phase two of the project will commence early next year.
And Senior Training Officer at GWLI, Sanjay Pooran, in his remarks noted that the WIIN programme is expected to expand as additional energies were placed into ensuring that as many registrants as possible are captured, “so that no one would be left behind.” He also informed that over 500 persons were able to be trained via online platforms, while the remaining number received in-person training.
In order to help GWLI carry out its mandate, it has been equipped with a modern computer lab, a multi-purpose training centre and a state-of-the-art culinary centre. The business incubator has also been launched there for the benefit of women who need help to start up small businesses.
