FORTY women from St Elizabeth Women (SEW) Limited are now proud business owners, thanks to an initiative sponsored by Food For the Poor (FFP) Jamaica and Hi-Pro Feeds. 

The women were recently provided with 4,000 baby chicks, poultry feed, waterers, feeders and multivitamins; a 3,000 square foot greenhouse with sweet pepper seedlings, and material to construct 16 chicken coops. 

Additionally, they underwent a six-week lifestyle, business and broiler course, which was facilitated by Hi-Pro Feeds.  At the end of the course they received their certificates at a graduation ceremony held on November 25.

According to Dr Glenda Simms, president of SEW, this initiative has improved the standard of living of the women and fosters financial independence, which was the objective outlined in the theme of the training course, “Taking Families from Subsistence to Success”.

“This is an important moment and day for us. One of the issues that we need to look at is making sure that we eradicate poverty for our women. I want to thank Food For the Poor and Hi-Pro who put together a dynamic programme to serve poor women of St Elizabeth,” said Dr Simms.

She further emphasised that the partnership between FFP & Hi-Pro has equipped the 40 women with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to sustain the project for many years to come, as the students will soon become the teachers.

Rebecca Harper, agriculture and fishing manager at FFP Jamaica, said the training ensures that all recipients not only get something to eat, but can keep eating every day of their lives.“You now know how to manage your money and you can now help others,” she said.

And Dayne Patterson, Hi-Pro’s business development manager, said his organisation was pleased to partner with FFP Jamaica in offering the training and material.

“This training course is just taking that one step further as it educates, supports, motivates and strengthens the community through the training provided. We are happy to work with Food For The Poor,” Patterson said.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, beneficiary Cynthia Green said Christmas had come early. “Little baby chickens came uniquely wrapped in their own special boxes and were presented to us.

Today, four weeks later, they are striving in excellent condition and are almost ready for marketing. It is with grateful hearts that we say a proud ‘thank you’ to Food For the Poor and Hi-Pro for helping us to start and manage our own businesses.”

FFP will also, in the near future, distribute eight (F1) gilt/pigs and 50 beehives with the relevant tools for the women to engage in apiculture.