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Women joiners graduate from Stabroek Rotary project May 20, 2013 · By Staff Writer · 0 Comments Next Article » Print 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. Luan Falconer (sixth from right) in front row and Canadian High Commissioner, David Devine (fifth from right in front row) with the participants. 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.” Rotary Club of Stabroek can be contacted through its secretary at 592-626-7987
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LIFE S
KILLS &
VOCATIO
NAL TRAIN
ING
PROJE
CT
A join
t pro
ject
bet
ween C
anad
a’s D
epar
tmen
t for
Fore
ign A
ffairs
& In
tern
atio
nal Tr
ade
and th
e Rot
ary
Club o
f Sta
broek
, Guya
na
Febru
ary
– Mar
ch 2
013
FUNDING SOURCES FOR THE PROJECT
Canada’s Department for Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
Rotary Club of Stabroek
PARTNERSHIP FOR PROJECT EXECUTION
The Chairman, Councilors and residents of the La Grange, Bagotville, Nismes NDC
Selected members of the business community
The staff of the Bagotville Library
THE INITIAL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
The “Life Skills and Vocational Training Project” was designed to specifically target unemployed and vulnerable youth and single parents of the La Grange, Bagotville, Nismes Communities.
WHY THESE THREE COMMUNITIES? RCOS has been supporting literacy
development in the community for over four years
Actions of children prompted formal surveySome children:
Had difficulty focusing Had difficulty retaining Were lethargic
Survey revealed underlying need for interventions
TARGET PERSONS
Individuals – Male and Female
Between the ages of 16 and 35
Who left high school without finishing
Who are currently unemployed
Who are confused and troubled and need
motivation to overcome their struggles
REFLECTION
“We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.” ― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience
HOW STABROEK CONNECTED WITH THE PARTICIPANTS
Prior to the commencement of training, a decision was made to interview each participant for entry into the program. Weekend after weekend Rotarians sat down with these wonderful women mainly to have them answer one simple question, which was “Why do you want to be part of this program”. Rotarians were not prepared for the answers received, but at the end of the interviews, this project became very personal for them.
HOW STABROEK CONNECTED WITH THE PARTICIPANTS
The participants, all women, each had a story. They wanted their stories to have a happy ending and so they were ready to turn their can’ts into cans and their dreams into plans. They were hungry to learn, they had ambition, they were all ready for the future. All they
needed was an opportunity and that was what this project provided for them.
AREAS IN WHICH TRAINING WAS PROVIDED:
22 females were trained in sewing and fabric designing Curtains Bedsheets & Pillowcases Mosquito nets Clothing Fabric painting
AREAS IN WHICH TRAINING WAS PROVIDED
5 females learned the joinery trade Measuring wood Cutting Sanding & Buffing Assembling Painting/Spraying/Lacquering Tile cutting and laying
It must be noted that the joinery trade is a male dominated skill area in Guyana. Not a single male registered for this training.
AREAS IN WHICH TRAINING WAS PROVIDED 32 females benefitted from
Lifeskills/Counseling Four-petal Seven-shaper model
o Biology of the bodyo Self-moving abilityo How thinking affects and shapes feelingso How feelings can shape one’s behavior
Johari’s Window on the Self Positive parenting Understanding adolescent development
AREAS IN WHICH TRAINING WAS PROVIDED:
32 females were participated in Etiquette training Handshakes Posture and leadership Non-verbal communication and
body language Dining etiquette Formal and casual table settings
This project which was initially targeting males and females evolved into one of empowerment for women
IMPACT ON THE INDIVIDUAL Equipped with skills that will lead to
employment Practice positive parenting Can start a small business Can have more income for the family
which will lead to a better quality of life
Empowered to become productive and self sufficient
IMPACT ON THE FAMILY More employed members in
the household Greater economic stability Improved family
relationships Better able to understand
and deal with the children
IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
New businesses operating within the communities
Create employment Positive influence on others Help neighbors and friends
with their emotional challenges
THE TESTIMONIESThis program has built my self esteem and has opened opportunities to better my tomorrows Onica Thompson
Learning to sew and attending the etiquette and counselling sessions have enabled me to build my self confidence Nalini Dowlat
Learning to sew has set the stage for me to open a small business Evette Abrams
I enjoyed the sewing classes but attending the joinery classes has empowered me to open my own joinery shop Thekla Douglas
Learning sewing has empowered me to open my own business Genepha Carrington
I am looking forward to the future. The program has assisted me to be independent Iashae Jones
The sewing and fabric designing classes have motivated me to become self reliant Nicola McKenzie
My improved sewing skills will help me to save money Wanita Bynoe
The sewing and counseling sessions have helped me with my self esteem. I would love for the program to continue Samantha James
LESSONS LEARNED
The importance of having a full time administrator who resides within the community and who can provide continuous monitoring of project activities
Getting to know the participants. Conducting the interviews motivated the Rotarians even more and the participants were encouraged because they felt that the Rotary Club cared about their success.
This project evolved into an empowerment project for women
Men did not take advantage of this opportunity
MAIN PROJECT SUCCESS/DISAPPOINTMENT
SUSTAINABILITY
Follow up graduates from the project
Promote this project as a model for other communities in need of similar interventions
