Women plan new businesses, community services after receiving WIIN startup kits

Several women who received startup kits through the Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme on Monday said the equipment will allow them to immediately begin expanding their businesses and offering new services within their communities.

Twenty women were presented with the startup kits after successfully completing courses in social media marketing and graphic design.

Women who completed the graphic design course received laptops, while social media marketing graduates were given tablets, ring lights and gimbal to support online content creation and digital promotion.

For Venita Maniram of Region Two, the social media marketing kit will help her move forward with plans to open a printery and stationery store.

Meanwhile, fellow Region Two resident Shereze Wong said the laptop she received will allow her to expand her existing services and support institutions in her area.

“I have a printer and I will use this business kit not only to expand my business but also to help the schools nearby…I also specialised with t-shirt printing, edible cakes and the list goes on,” Wong explained, noting that the initiative will impact not just her, but her wider community.

Another recipient, Annabelle Clements of Region Six, said she is grateful for the opportunity, explaining that the training exposed her to several new skills, including designing programmes.

She said she learnt of the course through Facebook and decided to enroll, despite the challenges of balancing work and studies. Clements now plans to purchase a printer so she can start a small business and earn additional income.

Addressing the women at the distribution ceremony, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya Persaud told the recipients that the handover of the kits comes with expectations that they will use the tools to achieve their goals.

“I know that many times it was a struggle for you to complete the programmes, quite a few times you would have made sacrifices but here you are,” Dr Persaud said, adding that the support would continue beyond the startup phase.

“Because we believe in not only helping you to start up which this is intended to do but also helping you to grow…there are tonnes of opportunities that await you,” she added.