YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
Belize
The YWCA Enterprise Creation & Extracurricular Development Project
The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) received a $200,0000 grant from the U.S. Embassy through the Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI). The money is being used to fund the “YWCA Enterprise Creation & Extracurricular Development Project” which involves the following programs:
Barbering Skills Training
A program for young men of Belize District who desire a skill in order to develop themselves financially and professionally. The program falls in line with security concerns as it offers at-risk youth alternatives to gang life.
Small Business & Marketing
A training in which we focus on young entrepreneurs who needs assistance in developing their existing business or those whose are about to start their business. This training will allow them, to walk away with something tangible, like a business plan, that they can use either to seek funding, or as a guide for their business venture. Note the young men from the barbering program are also enrolled in this training.
The second part to the small business program is the Small Business Club which caters for the students of the Helping Early Leavers Program (present and past). The purpose of the club is to take the same skills training students and introduce them to being entrepreneurs by providing them with tools to do a small venture at home on the weekends and teach them the basic concept of business.
Afterschool Remedial Classes
These classes cater to students who need the extra help in their school work especially English & Math, and assist in preparation for PSE.
Housekeeping
This is a Certification Course to train youths the skills and art of housekeeping and waitressing. This program is a new skill training program as it creates more windows of employment opportunities for the girls.
The YWCA Signature Product
The development of specific products that are massed produced by the YWCA for the local or international markets. These products will be something derived from the different sector of the skill training; i.e., the YWCA students sew apron and chef hats as well as school uniforms. We have one of our senior member who produces a Johnny cake mix that is marketable. The YWCA Brand is to allow students & members to be part of something bigger rather than just coming to the YWCA, it is motivation and inspiration.
The overall concept is to provide these young people with a skill and equip them with the knowledge and ways to use those skills to generate income for themselves and their family. Therefore we focus on skills training that are always in demand so employment opportunity is much higher.
