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Empowered By Design, an emerging programme under the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in partnership with Peacework for Belize and the US Embassy was launched today. It's to support aspiring women entrepreneurs with skills to pay the bills and realize their talents. Jomarie Lanza attended the launch:
The programme will provide 30 women entrepreneurs from southside Belize City with the resources and networks to formulate and start up their own small enterprises.
In the course of the 8 week programme they will be trained in sewing and design, financial literacy, and social and emotional learning, all skills and tools integral to entrepreneurial success. US Ambassador to Belize Michelle Kwan and Dr Carol Babb, the director of Peacework Belize spoke with us about their collaborative efforts in making this programme a possibility.
Michelle Kwan, US Ambassador to Belize
"It was very inspiring to be in a room of women entrepreneurs. This academy for women entrepreneurs is really giving these women the knowledge and the access and the networks they need to succeed. It's an incredible 8 week programme. It's a hybrid approach in person and online so there's a lot of flexibility but it is setting them up for economic success."
This initiative is the first ever so in the remarks from Dr Carol Babb and others its really an incredible partnership and an initiative and its always an initiative that has been supported from the state department but its in over 80 countries worldwide and i hope it will continue because it is really changing and giving experience to these women who have ideas have dreams but are really trying to figure out how to go from point A to point B to starting a business from all the 8 weeks of learning and it really gives them the tools that they need.
Dr Carol Babb, Director for Peacework Belize
"And so this is a big thing for us. We are extremely appreciative of the US embassy for helping us to support women so that they can find themselves in this country so that they can develop financial stability so that they can take care of themselves and their children. It will also reduce poverty and financial dependency and so this programme is an AWE programme indeed it's awesome and it's something that we need and its initially for 30 women, single women from southside belize and i've gotten so many calls from so many women who want to be a part of it. and so i'm hoping that people who are listening people who have the support that they would offer more programmes i'm calling on the prime minister other people other government officials to help women to find themselves in this society especially now when things are so difficult."
Babb hopes to expand the programme to involve women outside of Belize City. Two of the participants told us about how they plan to make use of this opportunity
Verenise Rodriguez, Participant
"So this is the next opportunity because I know about sewing but not much, because my grandma used to sew and make pretty things like decorations and all kinds of things. But unfortunately she's not here anymore and I didn't learn from her so now I can learn how to sow Before I go and look for people to do sowing I can learn and do it for myself especially in my community."
Stephanie Gray, Participant
"I have never sowed before but its a learning thing basically so I am excited to learn so its basically what it is.Being an entrepreneur is part of it although having a job but I love being in the field and selling and meeting people and greeting people its part of my goal."
The budget for the programme is $42,000Bz
The instructor for the sewing classes is Fashion designer Ronelli Requena, owner of Zayvhasarai
