Gov’t’s help to start-up small projects benefits Yawong women

$1.2M has been pumped into Yawong, Region Eight recently to aid the residents in the
construction of a center that will be used as base for craft production and as a sewing center.
The monies will be used to aid women engaged in sewing and will provide further assistance
from the Amerindian Affairs Ministry for the establishment of a business. Amerindian Affairs
Minister, Pauline Sukhai, appealed to residents during a recent visit to the region to ensure the
facility is completed on time. “I want to ask you, you and the people, that when you collect this
sum that you will ensure that you complete this building because we have a proposal from a
group of women here who have asked us over-time, that they want to do some sewing,” she said.
Minister Sukhai noted that the ministry has been successful in getting a small sum of money to
help women in the Yawong settlement to start their own small businesses. “I want to give them a
kickstart in creating a small business for some of the very interested and hard-working women in
this settlement,” the minister said.
Sukhai said that the sewing machines have already been distributed in the village for everyone’s
use.

She disclosed that additionally, a $3.8 million pick-up truck has also been purchased to be used
in the village. Minister Sukhai said the investments must be able to generate an income for
maintenance and other purposes.
“The purpose of the funding we gave you is to invest in a business that will bring in money to the
council, that should bring in money to cover its maintenance and to bring in extra dollars so the
council can have some change in their treasury,” the Minister added.