Members representing Soroptimist International St Vincent and the Grenadines (SISVG) were delighted to attend the Graduation Ceremony at Barrouallie Technical College (BTI) on September 27th, 2023, to congratulate seven graduating students from the Garment Production Programme 2022 – 20223 who had received support from the Club. Miss Ashekah Huskisson was presented with a gift voucher by President Donnette O’Neil for her outstanding performance to use in her fledgling but already successful garment business. Receiving the donation, she stated that “This will be most useful to purchase fabric to sew garments for the upcoming independence celebrations. With her positive attitude and garment making skills we wish her every success and expect her to be able to expand her clientele.
SISVG’s assistance to BTI was made possible due to partnership with a sister Club, Soroptimist International of San Fernando in Trinidad and Tobago, which provided funds for ten sewing machines purchased locally in order to increase the capacity of the programme. Previously students had to share machines. The Club is most grateful for this assistance which has enabled the empowerment of young women in a rural area with income generating skills. SISVG provided funds to needy students participating in Garment Production to assist with transportation costs. The Club continues with financial support with transportation costs for the academic year 2023- 2024.
The Club congratulates BTI on the high quality of Technical and Vocational Education delivered at the Institute enabling young Vincentians to develop not only skills but teamwork and positive attitudes to equip themselves for employment or start their own businesses. President O’Neil in her Remarks urged the awardees to put into practice not only the technical skills learnt, to dream big despite any obstacles that may come their way.despite any obstacles that may come their way and to continue the learning process by taking further Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) at higher levels to increase