The Johanna Cecilia Learning Resource Centre in Essequibo has, for more than 10 years, empowered women by teaching them various life skills. This has led to their increased independence and ultimately, they have become breadwinners in their homes
By Venessa Deosaran
Graduates from the sweetmeat course with their certificates
The Johanna Cecilia Learning Resource Centre was founded in 2000 by Doodnauth Singh, chairman, and his wife, coordinator, Parbittie.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Singh said he wanted to start a group in the Essequibo area for the development of his community and to teach a skill which can later serve as a medium to make an earning.
Classes were originally held at a local mandir but as the number of persons grew, Singh knew he would have to find a more spacious location. He approached the Poor Rural Communities Support Services Project for funding to construct a building to house the group. In 2004, his wish was fulfilled, and a spacious furnished building was constructed.
The centre was officially opened in October 2004 by former president Bharrat Jagdeo. It aims to provide the resources and guidance for those persons who wish to enhance their skills for personal and community development.
The Indian sweetmeat class with their food display
In 2005, Singh said he saw the need for empowering the community, and more specifically the women, through literacy. A literacy programme was held successfully that year, and since then many other sessions have been held.
The centre has a library and facilities for teaching cooking, sewing and other classes. The classes are opened to the general public for those persons interested in developing their skills.
There are cooking classes, Indian sweetmeats class, pastries-making sessions, and class in vegetarian dishes, cake and cake decorating, tie-dye class, floral decoration, knitting and reading/ computer classes.
These sessions are held at different times during the year.
“The class lasted for six weeks, and students were trained in preparing and cooking various Indian sweetmeats and snacks. They are now prepared to create employment opportunities for themselves,” Singh noted.
He said the centre has trained numerous single-parent women to cook and prepare Indian sweetmeats, pastry, Indian and vegetarian dishes, various rice dishes, vegetarian cakes, and cake decoration over the years. The training has so far helped beneficiaries to set up their own food businesses and create employment for themselves.
The chairman mentioned that the graduation exercise is the first for the year, and graduates were given certificates for successfully completing the course. He thanked the participants for attending the course, and encouraged more women, and men, to register for other upcoming courses. The graduates received gifts from Beesham Seepersaud, sales representative of Edward B. Harry and Company, who presented them with Champion brand aprons and matching shopping bags.
Singh disclosed he plans on starting health sessions where he would invite various health officials to lecture on various health issues. The centre continues to focus on empowering women and hopes to extend the sessions, and offer training in other skills. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
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