Y.W.C.A. helps girls with skills training

Earlier we looked at the traditional opening of the Christmas season by the Salvation Army. And while the bells were ringing on Albert Street, not far away some young ladies were displaying Christmas cheer of their own. Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

In case you were wondering, this is not a commercial bakery. It’s the first open day for the Y.W.C.A.’s Helping Early Leavers Programme, or HELP. Today the students displayed the products and services they offer.

The event dubbed “Christmas Expressions”, featured works in sewing, hairdressing and cosmetology, hospitality and catering. For Cherice Edwards, the hospitality course has offered a chance to learn new skills.

Cherice Edwards, Hospitality Student

“As I started, I find it good and I learned how to do something that when I open my business I could do something in it to get mi sale.”

Marion Ali

“So what you learned to make?”

Cherice Edwards

“We learned to bake cakes and make patties and other stuffs.”

For Aisha Lamb, an interest in hairdressing could one day become a career.

Aisha Lamb, Hairdressing Student

“I really like the course and it teach you a lot about hair, and people do a lot of things and they like to dress. It teach you a lot of ways to do your hair and stuff. Right now I’m doing someone’s hair.”

Marion Ali

“What all you know to do with the hair?

Aisha lamb

“A lot of things. I know to braid style, perm, flat-iron.”

Principal of HELP, Norma Sutherland, says the programme caters mainly to at-risk girls.

Norma Sutherland, Principal, HELP

“Girls who could not get into high school because of low academic achievement, or went to high school, first year, some of them second year and dropped out, but would like to continue learning some skill or other. The younger girls, some of them, who have the potential, we give them extra special help in helping them to sit the P.S.E.; and we have been very successful over the years. All of them who sit have been able to get into high school if they really want to.”

While those in the P.S.E. course move on to high school, the ones in skills training are placed with a business, or work on their own. Others enrol at the Centre for Employment Training.

Reporting for News 5, I am Marion Ali.

HELP was established in 1992 and currently has an enrolment of forty. It receives aid from UNICEF, the government, and private sector. The organisation also runs an outreach programme in Gales Point and some of those products were on display today.