Parishara women group reaping success
– received training in catering and pastries making
– group promotes social cohesion among women in Parishara
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Women residing in the community of Parishara, in Central Rupununi, are proud of the many accomplishments they have achieved.
Re-established in 2015, the Parishara Organic Food Processor Women Group has been making strides in the district, with its 18 members who are working ceaselessly to turn out their products.
Chairwoman of the group, Erlene Mc Donald explained that since she was nominated as group leader, it has brought her much joy working with her fellow villagers. She said several activities were established to keep the group members, specifically the teenagers actively and meaningfully occupied.
The group specialises in the processing of cassava, eddo and yam flour, nut butter and cassava bread, among other things. According to the Mc Donald, just recently the group members underwent training and were certified in catering. The training was made possible through the Ministry of Social Protection’s Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED).
“We can now prepare foods for various occasions, we learnt ways in which they can be presented, we learnt how to prepare different pastries,” she explained.
Additionally, the women also benefitted from etiquette and basic table setting skills lectures.
The chairwoman said with the establishment of the women’s initiative, several lives were impacted. “We participated in exhibitions, food expos, heritage activities and the Christmas fair, which occurs annually in Lethem. So those are some of the events that we target. Our products also attract a lot of visitors who would come to purchase,” Mc Donald added.
Minister of Social Protection, Hon. Amna Ally has noted that her ministry stands committed to providing further training and necessary assistance to the women’s efforts in Parishara.