Soroptimist International (SVG) celebrates graduating garment production students

Soroptimist International St Vincent and the Grenadines (SISVG) has congratulated seven graduating students from the 2022/2023 Garment Production Programme at the Barrouallie Technical Institute (BTI), who received support from the club.

At the graduation ceremony which took place on September 27, Ashekah Huskinson was presented with a gift voucher by President Donnette O’Neil for her outstanding performance, to be used in her fledgling but already successful garment business.

Receiving the donation, Huskinson said “This will be most useful to purchase fabric to sew garments for the upcoming Independence celebrations.”

A release from SISVG said they wish Huskinson every success and with her positive attitude and garment making skills they expect her to be able to expand her clientele.

SISVG’s assistance to BTI was made possible due to partnership with a sister Club, Soroptimist International of San Fernando in Trinidad and Tobago, which provided funds for 10 sewing machines purchased locally in order to increase the capacity of the programme. Previously students had to share machines.

“The Club is most grateful for this assistance which has enabled the empowerment of young women in a rural area with income generating skills,” the release said.

“SISVG provided funds to needy students participating in Garment Production to assist with transportation costs. The Club continues with financial support with transportation costs for the academic year 2023- 2024.

“The Club congratulates BTI on the high quality of Technical and Vocational Education delivered at the Institute enabling young Vincentians to develop not only skills but teamwork and positive attitudes to equip themselves for employment or start their own businesses,” the release said.

President O’Neil in her remarks urged the awardees to put into practice not only the technical skills learnt, but to dream big despite any obstacles that may come their way, and to continue the learning process by taking further Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) at higher levels to increase skills and to gain a competitive advantage in the market.