Livelihood skills training in the form of soap making, bread and pastries making was organised at GESDI Saltpond for 21 women and girls with disabilities. As part of the training, they received financial literacy skills training as well as items for making the products they were trained on.
Ms. Alswell Appiah a project officer at WIN explained the necessity for the training and urged them to be attentive and participate in their various choice of training. She encouraged them to fully participate in the trainings and learn well to help them make businesses out of the skills they came to learn. She added that WIN and PERD project are hoping for them to be successful and be financially independent.
The soap making training was led by Mrs. Beatrice Anim whilst the bread and pastries training was handled by Miss Ernestina Naarh. She allowed participants to try their hands on making the dough and the pie. Participants were thrilled to part take in making the pastry. They made other pastries chips, meat-pie and puffed-loaves. They also learned to make bread and bread rolls. The women were engaged and actively involved in the preparations, every one of them got involved and tried their hands on the item. Before the trainer begun the process for making each item, she mentions the ingredients involved and also mentions the process involved in making it. She made sure they have understood her well and repeat what she has just told them before moving to the next item.
On the other hand, the participants for the soap and detergent training had also started. They made liquid soap, bar soap, liquid bleach, shampoo, and shower gel. Before she starts with each of the products, she lists the items for making it and outlines the procedure. As she is making the products, she continues to guide participants on how to go about it to give them a better understanding. She gave the women the chance to participate in the production process, they were eager to learn and participate in the process. The process of making shampoo was taught by Miss Vida Abban, a beneficiary of last year’s livelihood skills training.
After their separate trainings, participants had lunch and came together to have a financial literacy skills training, this training was facilitated by Madam Isabella Esanti. Before she started her presentation, she admonished the women to be confident and self-reliant. She added that, they should not feel they are a liability because of their challenge, however they should capitalise on it and make the best out of the situation.
She took them through having good customer service skills and relating well with buyers and suppliers. She drummed in that as a business woman, you are supposed to be accommodating and polite to people you interact with especially in relation to your work. She also took them through saving for the business, book keeping, records keeping, planning for the business and personal life, borrowing and lending, going for loans, maximizing profits and getting involved in a hire purchase agreement. She involved the participants into the training and made the training a discussion. The women made insightful suggestions and contributions. They fully participated in discussions and the training process.
After the training, Ms. Esantsi asked the WGDs to express their thoughts about the training. Mercy Sagoe one of the participants expressed her gratitude for such insightful training and urged the others to make good use of the training they have received. Araba Egyiriba commented that she was exceptionally happy about the packages they received, it is unexpected and we are going to make good use of them, we hope WIN will give us more support when we need it. Madam Abigail Addo-Quaye explained to them that if WIN is committed to support them to do well and be empowered economically, so they should start an initiative and the organisation will support when the time comes. The training ended and all participants and stakeholders dispersed.