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

2. FUNDING SOURCES FOR THE PROJECT
 Canada’s Department for Foreign
Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)
 Rotary Club of Stabroek

3. 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

4. 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.

5. WHY THESE THREE COMMUNITIES?
 RCOS has been supporting literacy development in
the community for over four years
 Actions of children prompted formal survey
Some children:
 Had difficulty focusing
 Had difficulty retaining
 Were lethargic
 Survey revealed underlying need for interventions

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. AREAS IN WHICH TRAINING WAS PROVIDED:
 22 females were trained in sewing and
fabric designing
 Curtains
 Bedsheets & Pillowcases
 Mosquito nets
 Clothing
 Fabric painting

12. 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.

14. AREAS IN WHICH TRAINING WAS PROVIDED
 32 females benefitted from
Lifeskills/Counseling
 Four-petal Seven-shaper model
o Biology of the body
o Self-moving ability
o How thinking affects and shapes feelings
o How feelings can shape one’s behavior
 Johari’s Window on the Self
 Positive parenting
 Understanding adolescent development

16. 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

18. This project which was initially
targeting males and females
evolved into one of empowerment
for women

19. 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

20. 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

21. IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
 New businesses operating within
the communities
 Create employment
 Positive influence on others
 Help neighbors and friends with
their emotional challenges

22. THE TESTIMONIES
This 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

23. 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.

24.  This project evolved into an
empowerment project for women
 Men did not take advantage of this
opportunity
MAIN PROJECT SUCCESS/DISAPPOINTMENT

25. SUSTAINABILITY
 Follow up graduates from the project
 Promote this project as a model for
other communities in need of similar
interventions