Human Services Ministry to launch face mask sewing initiative

Fulfilling one of her promises to create job opportunities for vulnerable groups impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security is launching a Garment and Accessories Cottage Industry Initiative effective Monday, October 19, 2020.

The project would commission individuals to sew over 200,000 masks which will be distributed countrywide including schools, heath and child care facilities.

According to Dr Persaud, the mask project “is aimed at improving the livelihood of families by increasing their access to economic opportunities while sustaining a ready supply of increased demand for face masks throughout the 10 Administrative regions.”

“The Ministry is inundated with persons who need financial assistance and this project allows some of these disadvantaged individuals to become gainfully employed,” she stated.

Therefore, persons, especially in the low income bracket, who can sew and have sewing machines in their possession can uplift application forms from any of the Ministry’s security guard huts or the Regional Democratic Council offices countrywide.

Individuals who lost their income during the COVID-19 pandemic; individuals with disabilities; unemployed persons who head single-parent households; victims of Gender-based Violence and Trafficking and Women Groups are eligible to apply.

The application forms would be available at any of the Ministry’s security guard huts and Regional Democratic Council Offices countrywide; or download it from the Ministry’s website: https://mhsss.gov.gy/forms.html

Deadline to return the application Form is Friday, October 30, 2020 at 16:00 h, either through the post and must be addressed to: Hymawattie Lagan, 1 Water and Cornhill Streets, Stabroek  or email to  hlagan136@gmail.com

For further information and clarification, persons can contact on Ms. Lagan on 672-1653.