| The curtains closed last Thursday on the second Women Entrepreneurship Support Workshop – a collaborative project between the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) andThe group that participated in early AprilYouth Challenge Guyana (YCG). A simple ceremony for the presentation of certificates was held in the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) building at Main and New Market Streets.The initial workshop aimed at working with 60 female, small business owners, within the confines of region three and four, in an effort to help increase the revenue coming into their businesses.Book keeping, Networking, Strategic Planning, Communication for businesses and key elements of Marketing were the main topics focused on at the workshop. There were four mentors who conducted the interactive sessions with the women, who will be further mentored until December.At the first workshop, 21 women participated, and for the second 39 were expected but 24 took part.However, the recent four-day programme was well received by those in attendance.The second batch of participants,Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale, after Thursday’s ceremony, pose with Ms. Inge Nathoo, Secretary- General,Cheap World Cup Jerseys 2018, Guyana National Commission for UNESCO and Executive Director of the Youth Challenge for Guyana, Dmitri Nicholson sitting.Sopheina Lawrence,Wholesale NBA Jerseys, a very vibrant young lady was grateful in her vote of thanks to the hosts of the workshop. The 34-year-old mother of three, who operates a hair retail business from her North Sophia home, said that the workshop was very informative and practical. She indicated that now she will be putting what she has learned into practice, to further enhance her business which is only a few months old.Felicia Dey, who has operated a salon at the Sleepin Hotel for over ten years,NFL Jerseys China, said that the workshop has taught her a lot.“It has thought me a lot about my long-term vision and how to spend my money wisely…how to separate my business money from my pleasure money so to speak.”Another participant, Lana Narine, a 33-year-old mother of three, owns a document centre which she has run for four years. She said that after two years in the business she was faced with some difficulties which forced her to shut down. It was only last December that she reopened the doors to her business, and now with the help of the workshop, she is now more confident about better managing her finance.Participants came as far as from Yarrowkabra on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, with the oldest being in her fifties.At the first workshop which commenced on April 6, last, and concluded on April 10, the programme was also lauded by the 21 persons who took part. The responses from the women were essentially the same.Those women are owners of salons, catering services, repackaging of food items, boutiques, confectionery stands, baby gifts and much more.Faith DeSouza, a cosmetologist for 12 years, described it as a very enlightening and edifying programme.Tracey Bailey, who owns and has operated a salon for 15 years, said that the workshop has helped her to enhance her business, in terms of better management and transparency.From all indications, the women had developed camaraderie during the workshop, as they were seen jovially interacting with each other. There were hints by two of the women, of them teaming up for GuyExpo 2015.Executive Director of Youth Challenge Guyana, Dmitri Nicholson, related that ExxonMobil had previously sponsored a project to support women entrepreneurs, and based on the results from that project,China Jerseys Cheap, YCG had solicited sponsorship from UNESCO and there was consent. As a result, the programme was launched. It is scheduled to conclude this year end.Nicholson expressed special thanks to UNESCO,China Jerseys, and this was re-emphasized by YCG’s Education Programme Manager Chriseana Ramrekha, who asserted that the forum could not have been possible without the significant support.Ms. Inge Nathoo, Secretary- General, Guyana National Commission for UNESCO, was very sentimental during her remarks. Being a single-parent who had to raise two children on her own, Nathoo said that she understands what some of the women would have went through.Now from a standpoint where she is able to empower other women, Nathoo encouraged the women to not let the programme be another one that just slips by. She urged that they keep working on improving their businesses and even getting their children involved.“Get your children to see and understand that there is a structure in everything… let them see you working and get them involved in little chores…”When UNESCO had made invitations for proposals, it was Nathoo who urged the YCG to write a proposal, as she had worked with them back in 2008 with a venture called “Volunteers teachers’ programme”, and the work was deemed as tremendous.After making the winning proposal, it was suggested to Nicholson by Nathoo that something be down to empower women, hence the Women’s Entrepreneurship Support Workshop was initiated. Nathoo reiterated that the women will be coached by mentors until December. |
