THE Salvation Army in Guyana last Thursday launched the first of two sewing projects to be conducted over the next year, as a means of educating and empowering young Guyanese women.

The launching on Thursday was done at the Salvation Army Wortmanville Corps, 69 Bent and Haley Streets, where about twenty five participants were admitted to the programme. The second will be at the Vergenoegen Corps, West Bank Demerara, on November 7, next.

Divisional Commander for the Guyana Division, Major Sinous Theodore, in his opening remarks said that the project will contribute towards the Millennium Development Goal Number 3, which is to “Promote Gender Equality, and empower Women. He said the expected outcome is that the women will learn a new skill, and so be able to generate some income for themselves and families, while helping to create a new network of friendships and building capacity with other encouragers.

Mr. Samuel Small, former Director of the University of Guyana’s Institute of Distance and Continuing Education, who brought greetings to the forum, congratulated the initiative, and disclosed that he had arranged with the IDCE for the participants, on successful completion of the one-year sewing programme to be certified by that body which is an arm of the University of Guyana.

And the Councillor of the Mayor and Town Council, Mr. Hector Stoute, who attended on behalf of Mayor Hamilton Green, joined in congratulating the Salvation Army on such a bold and progressive move intended to benefit the women. He pledged the full support of the Mayor and Town Council for the ongoing work of the Salvation Army.

Other speakers were Ms. Mavis Loncke, Tutor and Ms. Shirley Thomas, Member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board who delivered the feature address.

In her address, Ms. Thomas admonished the participants to apply themselves diligently; go about their work with pride and seriousness, and ensure they attend classes regularly and on time.

She urged them to wary of any circumstance which would cause them to miss classes, or hinder them from benefitting fully from what the programme has to offer.

She wished the participants well, and urged them to look at the bigger picture, whereby, some time in the future, they can jointly set up sewing establishments and so win contracts for the production of school uniforms; uniforms for security services; graduation gowns and possibly the best wedding gowns in town.

Noting that the Salvation is continually giving with an ‘open heart’, Thomas exhorted the participants to accept the opportunity the Salvation Army was giving them, with “an attitude of gratitude.”

The distinguished gathering at the function included : Chairman of the Advisory Board, Mr. Edward Boyer and other representatives of the Board; Director of Women’s Ministries – Major Marie Theodore; and Project Director – Captain Mirelle St. Lot.