25 women in Reg 10 to benefit from training, entrepreneurship programme

Twenty-five female entrepreneurs from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) will be participating in a four-month Dream Builder training and entrepreneurship programme to advance their business skills and attain greater levels of financial freedom.

Courses within the Dream Builder programme provide the central curriculum under the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) which was launched in Linden on Thursday in a second collaboration between WeLead Caribbean and the United States (US) Embassy in Georgetown.
This is a part of the US Embassy’s ongoing effort to empower women in Guyana to fulfil their economic potential and create conditions for increased stability, security and prosperity for all Guyanese people, according to a WeLead press release sent on Friday.
The 25 women – who either already started businesses or are in the process of starting a business – will gain skills in personal development, food safety, label and package development, marketing and branding, and building and financing their dream.

Upon completion of the training, participants will be provided with practical tools to start their businesses and be engaged in a mentorship programme provided by the Cherie Blair Foundation.
“Take advantage of these training sessions and you will see new opportunities emerge as you progress through the programme, and you will come out better equipped to manage your businesses,” said Abbigale Loncke-Watson, founder of WeLead Caribbean during the AWE launch.
US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch commended the efforts of Loncke-Watson in increasing the number of entrepreneurial opportunities available to women in Linden and reiterated the Embassy’s commitment and support of these efforts.
“The Embassy is committed to increasing inclusion of minority groups in the social, economic and political spheres,” Lynch said. “This programme is part of our continued effort to promote prosperity for all Guyanese.”

This programme will be coordinated in Region 10 in partnership with The NICO Consulting Inc, a boutique strategic and operational management firm.
“As a Lindener, today, I join you with great excitement at this opportunity,” said Michelle Nicholas, founder and president of The NICO Consulting.
“I am sure you will agree with me that the main purpose of an opportunity is to serve as the basis for any action that results in profit and business growth,” Nicholas said. “And it is these opportunities that allow businesses to create and implement ideas and innovations and improve their performance.”
Other speakers at the launch, who all encouraged the participants to grasp the opportunities provided through this programme, included Regional Chairman Deron Adams, Mayor of Linden Waneka Arrindell and President of the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development Lyndon Younge.