Partners in Unity encourages women to recognise their empowering values
Founded by a group of women, Partners in Unity seeks opportunities to improve the lives of the vulnerable while at the same time empowering themselves.
The organisation was formed in November 2008 by the contestants of the Miss Guyana Renaissance Pageant 2008. In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, public relations officer, Patricia Helwig, a contestant in the 2008 pageant who was first runner-up, said that the group of women decided to form a non-profit organisation because they “saw the need to empower other women and bring self-worth to those who did not believe in themselves or had low self-esteem.”
She recalled, “We became like sisters and formed a bond and decided the pageant shouldn’t be the end of our relationship. We decided to form this group in 2008. We formalized it and the Partners in Unity was born. Our focus was to empower women. We found that many women suffer from low self-esteem; even the contestants who entered the pageant didn’t have much confidence in themselves. Knowing this, we decided it was apt to form this group.”
The PRO stated that the initial objective of the organisation was to help women feel better about themselves, not just as homemakers or “baby bearers”. They met every third Sunday on a monthly basis for games nights, cooking classes and craft making, among other activities. Eventually, men were added to the group.
Helwig added that as the group grew the women realised inviting men would make the organisation more effective and so their motto is, ‘Empowering Persons- Both Men and Women’. There are currently 15 active group members.
“We then decided that we wanted to give back to society and so partnered with Alpha Children’s Home in Berbice to donate items during August holidays for the children and for the holidays in December. We have helped Alpha in the form of books, clothing, food stuff and toys at Christmas. We also plan a Christmas concert, among other festivities, for the kids there,” she disclosed.
Moreover, the group has also partnered with the Ivy’s Home for Elderly Women located on Camp Street, where members pamper the women at the home. Partners in Unity has also donated fans for the home and has provided delicious meals on a number of occasions.
Recently, a timely donation in the form of cleaning agents and toiletries was made to the Ruimveldt Children’s Home, located in East La Penitence. The charity group is grateful for the assistance received from Pastor Wade Ridley of the Restoration of Life Ministries.
“We are very thankful and will continue to provide services to the needy where necessary. Giving back has helped us women, and men, to really build our confidence as we play a vital role in giving back to society. We are moved by the children’s stories, some have made us cry, and that is why we are ever more fervent in our endeavours to continue our work. We also invite those who are passionate about helping to partner with us in unity in order to give back to our society,” Helwig declared.
Women and men, interested in joining this organisation can call 227-0646, 645-7758 or 621-0769 for more information.
