The 36 women who on Friday graduated from the First Lady’s Early Childhood Development Workshop, were encouraged by her to use their skills to secure financial independence and freedom.
The workshop had been held in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection and the Guyana Red Cross Society.
First Lady Sandra Granger, speaking at the graduation ceremony held in the Baridi Benab at State House, told the graduates that gaining financial independence was a means of freeing them from the thralls of domestic violence.
“In this age when every single day we get up and read about people being slaughtered by so-called people who love them, I believe deeply, that once our women are financially independent it will be very difficult for people to hold them [captive] by telling them ‘you can’t do anything,’” the First Lady said.
“It doesn’t mean you have to be the richest person or the most famous person, it means that when you stand you know who you are. You know what you have in you and you can build on all the skills that you developed…a group of you can even set up your own community day care centre,” she further advised.
The Ministry of the Presidency press release stated that the First Lady’s sentiments were shared by Women Across Differences Coordinator, Clonel Samuels-Boston, who made similar statements in her address. Samuels-Boston also noted that oftentimes, persons are more aware of their limitations than their potential.
“You don’t need to be perfect because nothing is and no person is and that is okay…do not allow other people’s opinions and judgements to control the direction of your life…You are born unique for a reason, you are born to stand out, to be appreciated and loved for who you are… There are times when you will have failures in your life but it is what you do during those times that will determine the heights of your peaks,” she stated.
Also in attendance at Friday’s ceremony were, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Protection, Lorene Baird; Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training, Clinton Williams; and facilitators of the workshop.
