‘HERO’ empowering young women

Young single mothers within the St George South constituency are being empowered to become business owners.

 

This is through the Hands Extended Reaching Out (HERO) – Mom-preneurship Programme.

 

Yesterday, Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. the Hon. Esther Byer Suckoo officially launched the three-month initiative, which will see 30 women seek to become entrepreneurs, while developing new skills so that they can adequately take care of their children.

 

“HERO is a community-based organisation in St George South established to develop the community eradicating poverty, empowering women, youth and children, also the intergenerational impact … We are very excited about this programme because it empowers this generation of mothers as it helps them to pass on that legacy to their children,” Dr Byer-Suckoo explained during the launch held at the Ellerton Wesleyan Holiness Church, Ellerton, St. George.

 

Revealing that sessions will get underway next week, the Senator, who is also patron of the programme, took the opportunity to thank the Barbados Investment & Development Corporation (BIDC), St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Wesleyan Holiness, Employers, among others for coming on board to provide mentorship to the young woman participating in Mom-preneurship.

 

She stressed that having a good mentor will be vital.

 

“For this programme to be a success, our young women have to change the mind-set. They have to see themselves now as being able to take control of their destiny. They have to be able to appreciate that they can do it. Therefore, mentorship will be a very important part of that programme where we would ask women in the opportunity to work alongside them, helping them to get over some of the hurdles. This community has produced some very success women who are able to provide this sort of assistance to our young women.”

 

Dr. Byer-Suckoo also revealed that as participants develop, they will be able to access grant funding through the Human Resource Development Strategy which will assist in taking their businesses to the next level.  

 

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BIDC, Sonja Trotman said that the government agency has already identified some of its female employees who reside in St George, to act as mentors.

 

“The BIDC is proud to a part of this programme. We are going to do whatever is required to assist,” she expressed.

 

“I am happy that persons who reside in St George would have seen the need….sometimes we are always reaching out to offer advice and financial support but there is nothing more than empowering persons, and this is the aim of this programme.”

 

Yvonne Blenman a Trustee of HERO acknowledged that there are a lot of talented young women within the constituency.

 

“We have ladies who are good at hair, nails and much more. We are here to help these young mothers; to empower them.”

 

“I try to talk to mothers about how they are managing and sometimes they say it is difficult. I try to explain to them that it is not only about government…but it is how you can empower yourself to become a better person to help your children,” she said. (TL)