25 WIIN graduates in Region Nine sees lone male

There was a lone male among 25 individuals who graduated from the Human Services and
Social Security Ministry’s- Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme in
‘child care’ on Sunday.
While the programme was conceptualised to empower women from 16 years old and offers both
online and in-person training, men are also allowed to participate. This saw Neville Adolph of
Lethem, Region Nine, being the only male. Adolph in a media related interview pointed out that
he participated in the programme to provide support to young fathers within his community.
“I am really passionate about kids, and I learned through my children, being a good father at
home for them, and I just wanted to help other young fathers, as well because of my experience
as a teenage father,” Adolph disclosed. Dr. Vindhya Persaud, revealed that the programme will
be expanding to allow more persons to participate. “With the success of the new programme last
year, it is our intention to increase the number of persons who will be trained this year. The
WIIN programme created avenues and opportunities for women in areas that I feel that are
needed in many communities,” Dr. Persaud said. Several other participants said the programme
was much needed in the region and has created the opportunity for self-development.
“I am not a mom, but to learn this stuff it is a really good opportunity and I think they, bringing
this programme to the region, is really good for the other women. And it’s really educational,
and I think they should bring more programmes like this so that when they bring these
programmes here it will be really good for us, as it relates to women empowerment. It is really
good,” Sarah Singh said. Norma Griffith, another participant, stressed that the course was vital.
“I think it is a very great initiative and I am so happy that Region Nine is a part of this training
because within our region, child care is a vital tool for most communities because most mothers
are working and we can be able to have the skills and knowledge and maybe one day open our
own day care,” Griffith said.
Each participant received a $50,000 grant under the ministry’s ‘Empowerment Fund’ to establish
their own businesses, following the graduation ceremony. Distribution of the fund was not
limited to WIIN participants, as vulnerable residents in the region also benefitted. It was revealed
that Government continues to invest heavily in upskilling its human resources to capitalise on
Guyana’s unprecedented economic growth.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).