First Lady hands over business grants to 3 single mothers
In observance of International Women’s Day 2024, First Lady Arya Ali has handed over three grants, totalling $1.5 million, to three single mothers to fund their start-ups.
Recipients of these grants were 38-year-old Loveveol Cort of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara; 41-year-old Vernalinda Morgan of Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara; and 34-year-old Shenelly Gale of Linden, Region 10. These three women were participants in the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women’s HerVenture programme, a platform that provides women with business development training.
This year’s International Women’s Day has been observed under the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”, and according to the First Lady, this is exactly what she intends to use her office to do.
Single mothers Loveveol Cort, Vernalinda Morgan and Shenelly Gale sharing a photo op with First Lady Arya Ali
“For me, it is not just about repeating slogans and hoping to inspire people and businesses to make investments in women; it is also about leading by example. So, today, this contribution to these women is a demonstration of our commitment to continue investing in women to improve their social and economic status,” the First Lady said during a short handing-over ceremony held at her office.
The First Lady was keen to note that while a monetary contribution was being provided to fund the start-ups of these women, technical support would also be provided to the women by business coaches Keon Smith and Upasna Mudlier of ActionCOACH.
The First Lady has also encouraged the women to use the opportunity provided to them to positively impact the lives of other women and girls.
“Just as you all are benefitting from a gender-specific programme today, I hope you understand that you too have a responsibility to other women and girls to inspire them and support them as best as you can,” the First Lady has said.
The three recipients of the First Lady’s grant have expressed gratitude for the support provided to them, and have made commitment to the First Lady to would work diligently to ensure their ventures succeed. They have been told that the coaches would periodically assess the progress of their ventures.
Apart from the business grants, 15 vulnerable women are currently on fully-funded scholarships at the Carnegie School of Home Economics through a programme sponsored by the Office of the First Lady.
