Startup funds for businesses will see Regions Two, Seven women benefitting

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry in collaboration with the World Food Bank
(WFB) on Wednesday, distributed some $14.9M through the ‘Empowerment Fund’ to residents
of Regions Two and Seven.
It was noted that the initiative was brought to fruition late last year, to provide women graduating
from the ministry’s Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme with the
finances to launch their own businesses. Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Human Services Minister, pointed
out that the initiative is being rolled out to help women to become financially sound. “A big part
of why this is happening this way, is to help women to be financially empowered and to be
independent,” Minister Persaud said.

Persaud noted that they have to start thinking what to do to ensure that they are able to sustain
themselves. Several media related interviews were conducted with several of the 299 persons
who benefited from the ministry’s $50,000 grant. They stressed that the initiative is great, as the
money will be the stepping stone for their businesses. Savita Lall, 17, who participated in the
administrative assistant course said the money will assist her to purchase uniform.
“I plan to gain employment and get ready to go into the world of work, buy clothes for work and
so on. I am very proud of the government and the things they’re doing for the community and to
help us,” Lall said. “I am excited right now; I feel very lucky to be a part of this course, and I
want to continue to go to more courses. I have big dreams and I am very thankful for this; this
has been very helpful for me. I plan to do my own business actually,” Toshanna Gafoor, who
was laid off from work due to COVID-19 said.
Meanwhile, single mother Padmordeen Ramnauth, said, “It is a very good initiative especially
for the single moms and for the persons you know that don’t have a job so at least they can learn
something and one day open their own business. I am doing cakes and cupcakes for parties and
stuff so I will invest it in that.” “It is a good thing they doing because most women are single
moms and everybody can do something instead of being home doing nothing and this is a great
opportunity for them to start out,” Raveena Roopnarine expressed.
Pearlena Jacobus, a mother who received the fund on behalf of her daughter revealed, “Well I
feel very happy because it will help a lot and I thankful that we can get a little help. Well, we
have started poultry, this money will use because we normally do barbeque and it will help to
buy some of the ingredients and I know that the business will grow.”