SLED Project provides assistance to new community businesses

Several small businesses within various communities throughout Guyana have been established following the Sustainable Livelihood Entrepreneurship Development (SLED) Project.
This is in light of the vibrant and thriving village economies that can be created via entrepreneurial activity.

SLED has recently provided micro assistance to several lucrative start-up businesses, which aim to cater for the needs of their respective communities. As such, skills are being developed and residents are gaining employment.
Initially, a fish processing facility was established in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), which proved to be successful. As such, four other co-operative groups were launched in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
Another three are currently taking shape in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
Recently, a third batch of birds was produced by the Women on the Rise Cooperative Society, located in Region Five, as a result of the SLED programme.
In light of this accomplishment, a small gathering was held in the company of Member of Parliament (MP), Jennifer Wade and Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ovid Morrison.
Morrison reminded the women of the important role of cooperatives in the history of regional development and the future of its success which lay in the continuation of this vision.
Additionally, a sewing group was also introduced in Little Red Village, a community on the Essequibo Coast, which caters for the needs of students residing there while Lima Sands saw the introduction of a home-style bakery.
Leona Cornelius, the head of the sewing group, said she has been living in the village since it was established in 2009 and has been plying her trade as the community’s seamstress since. She stated that she was now happy to be involved in training with other women.
While many persons are interested in starting their own businesses, the acquisition of capital is seen as a major setback. The merging of community resources is sometimes incapable of creating these businesses. Hence, this project was developed to tackle this issue. With this initiative in place, many residents will benefit in tremendous ways and the communities will further increase their economies. The groups predominantly comprise women who seized the opportunity to pool their resources for their financial empowerment.
The Social Protection Department has completed 20 SLED Projects in nine regions across Guyana in 2017. With an increased budget for the SLED programme for 2018, the Department envisages an increased number of SLED projects.