A dynamic group of agro-processors in Lichfield moved into an over $8 million manufacturing and community centre on February 13, after operating in a two-room bottom flat for almost two years.
The West Coast Berbice (WCB) Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), which produces Multi Mix products, has changed address and now calls a two-storey building at Lot 13-14 Lichfield its home.
This location change was made possible through a $7.1 million grant from the Guyana Micro Projects Office (GMPO) under its 4.5 million euros programme funded by the European Commission and the Government of Guyana.
General Secretary of the national YWCA and Coordinator of the WCB micro project Glynis Beaton told the gathering of Lichfielders, regional representatives and representatives from the YWCA national office that the feat was achieved through perseverance and very strong encouragement from the GMPO, adding that the initiative meant “work, work non stop.”
In March 2005, the WCB YWCA launched its condiment project as a means of creating employment and empowering women in Lichfield and in Region Five. The small team of women with the assistance of Beaton in 2005 gained financing from the international and national YWCA offices and used this as investment capital to produce bottled green seasonings, achar, preserved fruits and craft items. For this venture, a small rented bottom flat at Lot 8 Lichfield doubled as a sales depot and the manufacturing location.
But it soon became evident that the group needed more space to facilitate an expansion. So last year, Beaton, with assistance from the YWCA Edmonton, Canada branch produced a proposal seeking funding from the GMPO for a building. In early October the proposal was approved and funding was made available. The GMPO agreed to give 75% of the building’s cost and the WCB YWCA agreed to find the remainder.
“We did it,” Beaton told the audience, gathered in the compound of the new location. “This was no easy work for the team,” she said “…through love we have served one another.” The general secretary explained that marketing and promotion of the products will continue and the aim is to stock shelves across the country with Multi Mix products. Multi Mix products will embark on a three-year business plan that will see the expansion of the business and its sustainability. Beaton also reported that as a result of the project, four persons in the community received training in carpentry, steel bending and masonry, while in-kind work on the project was valued at over $2 million. Funding for the building also came from Edmonton Canada YWCA, World YWCA and YWCA Guyana.
Coralie Simmons of the GMPO in her feature address said that because of their role women were key in the development of Guyana. The aim of GMPO, Simmons reiterated, is to assist poor and vulnerable communities and projects across Guyana have received funding under the programme.
Among the criteria for funding under the GMPO is community involvement and she said there is a requirement that at least 25% of the project’s cost must be met by the community. This means the project is then owned by the community.
She said that in an area where unemployment was high the Multi Mix initiative was a welcome one as it will teach women life skills, assist in the alleviation of poverty, create sustainable employment and give moral upliftment. Simmons said that in light of these achievements “these funds could not be better spent.”
Thirty-four micro projects across the country were completed under the first phase of the GMPO including the WCB project.
Region Five Chairman Harrinarine Baldeo said that in Region Five there are developments in health and education but quietly various organizations have entered into micro ventures.
Baldeo commended the WCB YWCA for its effort, noting that the members of the group had taken the lead to help themselves.
To this end, he called on the entrepreneurs to stay together, remain committed and to dedicate themselves toward the project even though problems may arise. “We will try our best to assist you all,” was the pledge the regional chairman made.
Executive Director of the WCB YWCA Pauline Wade told Stabroek News that the building already has computers, heavy-duty and commercial sewing machines and by March month-end sewing, cake decoration, child care and floral arrangement classes will also be held there. Community functions will also be facilitated on the upper flat of the building at a later date.
Congratulatory messages came from the YWCA Edmonton branch, the World YWCA office and the New York-based Guyana North America Association for Social and Health Services.
Investment Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment Shauna Harris in her brief remarks encouraged the group by noting that Go-Invest will continue to support the growth of the YWCA. Harris also congratulated the WCB branch for moving into its own building and creating jobs into the community.
President of YWCA National Diane Blyden said it was a proud moment for the YWCA and called for the full utilization of the building and its facilities to benefit the community and Region Five. She also pledged that periodic checks will be made to ensure that the building is fully utilized.
Multi Mix products can be found in stores located on WCB, at the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (New GMC) and at the YWCA National office on Brickdam.
Among the activities to herald the opening of the new facility were several dances, songs, presentations and overseas greetings and messages.
