Womens’ Centre Receive Fully Furnished Home Economics Management Facility
THE Womens’ Centre in Kingston was officially handed their fully furnished Home Economics Management facility last Wednesday by the Digicel Foundation. The building was built by the Jamaica Volunteer Association, however, it had no furniture or equipment Digicel Foundation, being a charitable organisation was approached and decided to come on board immediately. They bought chairs and tables, utensils, cooking wares, a refrigerator and a television set. The new facility will seek to help the girls who are sitting their CXC exams as well as to provide a cafeteria where the girls can have lunch.
The launch was organised by Digicel and commenced half hour after the scheduled time. Master of Ceremony Ms. Kitty came late but didn’t fail to get the girls involved in the programme, at the same time giving them words of encouragement. Special guest, dancehall diva, Tifa had the girls rocking to hits like Spell It Out and Boasy Wid It. The 2009 JCDC Festival Queen, Kamesha Turner brought members of the Jamaica Drama Group as well, to entertain the girls. There was an interesting cook-off taking place during the proceedings which featured two teams each involving a member from Digicel and one of the girls. They were each asked to prepare and present a Chicken Potato Pie.
The Womens’ Centre is an establishment for TEENage pregnant mothers. It was started in 1978 and has over seven Centres Island wide. It provides teen mothers with the opportunity to continue their education regardless of their situation. They are taught various subjects such as home economics, food and nutrition, mathematics, English language, computing, biology, principle of business, among others. The centre offers a day care facility for babies of the young mothers while they attend classes. Apart from being taught a variety of subjects the girls are also counselled on a one to one basis or in groups on how to cope with their situation. Councillors offer home visits and they also work with the mothers of these pregnant teens.
The event was a memorable one for the teen girls at the womens’ centre, thanks to the Digicel Foundation.