Housewives coming together to empower themselves
By Venessa Deosaran
In 2004, a group of housewives in the Uitvlugt Side-Line Dam decided that they were not going to sit at home merely engaging in housework; rather they would come together to learn various crafts in order to better themselves. And so the Uitvlugt Side-Line Dam women’s group was founded with the aim to empower the women of that community as home managers. Sadly, due to lack of resources, the group met a brief hiatus.
However, the women’s enthusiasm for developing themselves never died, and they would meet occasionally to discuss how they could revive the group.
Previously, a commitment was made to the group by the present government to work with the women of that community and to assist them with equipment so that they can plan activities in sewing, catering and cake decorating in order to develop their work.
According to a GINA report, in November this year, then minister in the Ministry of Finance now Minister of Human Services, Jennifer Webster, in a community outreach, visited Uitvlugt and met with the women where she inquired why the group was not functional and the women seized the opportunity to explain their unfortunate financial circumstances.
Speaking to Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, chairperson Neisha Deen said the minister then offered to assist the group in providing sewing machines so that they could have something to bring the group together once more.
The minister, she said, handed over two sewing machines to the group, which was part of the group’s request.
Minister Webster promised that other items, including fabric, thread, baking pans and cake decorating utensils, would be given to the group at a later date. The group disclosed they are eagerly awaiting these items.
Webster emphasized that the items would aid the group to contribute to the community’s development and would also see them training young women in the skills they have learnt.
Group secretary Dropatie Deonarine stated that they currently have 12 members including one male and three female secondary school students and they hope to increase the number of young people soon, but without resources they are limited.
Leelawatie Sancharie is the only instructor for the sewing class. She has been in that profession for more than 22 years and takes time off Wednesdays to teach the group.
Deen said the group would be meeting regularly to discuss their future and ways in which they can garner funds. They hope to have fund-raising activities in the near future to purchase materials since at present, each member has to carry materials to the class.
Using their new sewing machines, the group recently made pillow cases and donated them to senior citizens in the area.
Deen noted that the group needs more materials so that it can increase its activities, and invited others to join. They are also asking the corporate sector and other kind-hearted persons to donate what they could. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
