Nineteen young women have benefited from a seven-week initiative, dubbed, “S.T.E.P”, short for Sewing, Training, and Entrepreneurship Program and are now better equipped to continue developing their sewing skills.
The S.T.E.P initiative was launched on January 15th, 2019.
It is an initiative of Finese House of Beauty in collaboration with UWI Open Campus, National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD), Dominica Import Export Agency (DEXIA) and Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT).
The project targeted young people interested in either developing their fashion skills or enhancing their already existing skill set.
Owner of Finese Beauty, Kimara Matthew who was speaking at a special graduation ceremony held at UWI Open Campus, Elmshall Road, on Saturday said S.T.E.P offers a platform that permits each participant an opportunity to grow beyond his or her border.
“Over the years we have heard the cries for help,” she said. “We have seen the rise in unemployment, crime and violence.”
She continued, “We have seen a decrease in skilled labourers…we have seen, we’ve heard and now is time to step-up”
According to Matthew, one of the aims of the project was to provide a holistic approach, to the growing, developing and understanding one’s potential while learning the best response to his or her environment.”
She said the initiative also allows students to step out of their comfort zone and aim for higher heights, imploring and propelling each one to fulfill his or her dreams and aspirations.
“Often times we observe people walking the streets with hidden treasures buried within them,” she noted. “These persons are either unaware of this buried gift and talent or find it difficult to source a level platform that invokes this inner power to rise to the occasion.”
The Finese House of Beauty CEO challenged each student to go beyond self to develop the principle of professionalism, good work ethics and high standard of practice that “eliminates mediocrity.”
Special awards were presented to outstanding students at the ceremony.
Ernie Charles won the award for Most Outstanding Student. The recognition award for Best Performing Group for session two of operational competencies went to Praise Okwa, Tamisha Thomas and Zalika Bowers and for Best Business Pitch, Delver Anselm.
This effort is to be commended!
To: Finese House of Beauty in collaboration with UWI Open Campus, National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD), Dominica Import Export Agency (DEXIA) and Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT). I think it would really assist if a Directory of some sort can be published and updated yearly. Give interested people a chance to contact them. For us to support them we need first to find them.
wow! it looks like they made their own dresses. wonderful very pretty! CONGRATS!
Bravo! Well done. That’s what most people need, a helping hand not a hand out. Ms. Matthews is to be complemented. One observation though there appears to be no young men involved. With crime and unemployment numbers being what they are, is important to encourage the young man also.
When will assistance be given to young men? In times of “equality” women seem to be getting all the help.
it was a voluntary exercise. One had to sign up at their discretion … and at the opening there was one young man, who was acknowledged and commended. Not sure why he did not complete the programme.
i didnt ask u if it was voluntary or not. i said when will our young men be getting some help. Because it seems that our young men are disenfranchised. That is what we need to understand. Why this young man dropped out. Why most of our young men are dropping out and sitting on the sidelines. This is the problem i am addressing. but noone cares and we continue to just focus on women women women. Women make up the majority of the work force. Everywhere you go is women. In the banks, offices, street side businesses, in the shops, stores everywhere is women. This social folly needs to be addressed. Maybe other types of initiatives tailored more towards boy/ young men should be developed. Nothing wrong with sewing and garment manufacturing, but in our small society people may think you are a seamstress instead of a tailor. sounds foolish but many people think that way.
Good concern, however, this was a voluntary thing. Everyone who signed up did so because they wanted to.
I do recall there was a young man at the start of the programme. He was acknowledged and commended. Not sure why he did not complete… Maybe this type of programme should be introduced to boys in school, where they be more compelled to try.
There are always programs for young men, but it seems you want us to drag them, hold their hands and force them. If you were paying attention you would have heard about the electricity, plumbing, IT, and all the courses promoted for young men FREE OF CHARGE by the youth division and the DYBT even NDFD. These women PAID for their courses and women continue to RUSH to opportunities. There was a phlebotomy course (though under investigation) and I did not see not one young man, but I could be wrong. Men have to get up on their butts we should not have to force them since men are suppose to be the leaders. Btw the same way these ladies signed up on their own who was preventing any young man from signing up?
Thank you Frank. I myself would like to enroll in one of these.