First Lady takes entrepreneurship workshop to Region 3
Another batch of women, this time from several villages across Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), now have the opportunity of becoming successful entrepreneurs, through the Self-Reliance and Success in Business Workshop, which was held at the regional office’s boardroom in Vreed-en-Hoop.
Facilitator at Interweave Solutions Incorporated, Yohann Sanjay Pooran facilitating the Self-Reliance and Success in Business Workshop in Region Three
Speaking at the ceremony, First Lady Sandra Granger said that women often put themselves down by internalising the belief that they had no knowledge of business, or were not gainfully employed when in fact their daily routines utilised skills that were comparative to the skills required to run a business. “Start to look at yourselves as queens, because you are managing… your homes and businesses… devoting your time, and energies and at the same time, love yourself,” Mrs Granger told the participants.
As she shared a quote from Martin Luther King’s most celebrated speech, “I have a dream”, the First Lady told the participants that “your dream today is that you can manage and successfully run a business. So I urge you, dream big, but dream realistically.”
She also mentioned the planned introduction of a Training of Trainers workshop, where women from Regions across Guyana can benefit from entrepreneurial training and also be equipped to train members of their communities. This initiative, Mrs Granger said, is something her office is considering and hopes to implement by the end of 2017.
In his address to the women, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Denis Jaikaran told the participants that he was looking forward to a successful workshop. He urged the women to look at themselves from another angle and not to label themselves as just “housewives”.
Meanwhile, facilitator at Interweave Solutions Incorporated, Yohann Sanjay Pooran noted that this batch of participants would bring the number of women who have been trained as entrepreneurs to 400, since the commencement of the partnership between the agency and the Office of the First Lady.
Over the next four days, the women will be trained in the principles of successful business start-ups and the development of business plans. On completion of the training programme, they will be presented with certificates recognised by the Small Business Bureau.
