Helping Hand Project
The Helping Hands Projects
Equipping and Transforming Women In Our Communities.
So to alleviate the situation of some women of Santo 6, 7 and 8, ensuring better living conditions for their families, a small project was erected and proposed to the women ministry department to provide some assistance in capacity building with a Bakery and pastry teaching course.
The project was initiated for fifty women and girls who are in need in the area. Women who are not able to attend a school or home economic centre where they would have to pay. For the project to achieve its goal, we needed teachers and all the necessary kitchen equipment. A portion of the territorial Women’s Ministry Helping Hand 2020 was approved; for the project in the first term of the year 2021, for which the women are so grateful.
This program started on April 01, 2021; they meet two days a week on Thursday and Friday afternoons for 2 or 3 hours depending on the recipe. They have two teachers. The age group is from 14 to 40 years old. Each session begins with a 10–15-minutes prayer and devotion. The time is shared with Prayer, the course (Theoretical) and a practice session.
Testimonial
I was very desperate in my life because I am a single mother, and did not have anything to do to help my family. Someone told me that the Salvation Army Santo 8 Corps will help some women in the area with a project that they will teach Bakery and Pastry, I was so excited I registered. I have learnt which is: How to make “DONUTS”. Now I am selling doughnuts and make some money to take care of my children even though it is not much but it helps and I am happy. May God continue to bless The Salvation Army!
Daphnis Daphtha - Beneficiary
The program is funded; by the territorial Helping Hand money of the women’s ministry. However, the ladies have to make a small contribution toward the recipes to sustain the program for a year as the exchange rate caused a huge; challenge in the budget.
The program will run for (1) year and, we have 35 participants instead of fifty due to the recent raised of the gourdes over the US. This project is working well up to date as we try to deal with the challenges.
Some of the challenges are: More women want to register while we cannot accept any additional participants; at this time. Despite the challenges to buy the ingredients, the ladies are very happy and show interest in the course.
With this project, we have more people in the Home League and the Corps as well. We start seeing some significant life transformation in the women, some of them start applying what they have learned and do it at home to make a living, and they have hope for a better future, knowing that they can do something. One soul is saved and, now attending church and families, link to the corps. Thanks to all the Divisions who have contributed to the Helping hand effort 2020.
French Guiana
Helping Hand Project
The Helping Hand Sewing project; was launched in January 2021. The programme was initially; launched without funding until the District received aid from the Territorial’s Women’s Ministries department. It was launched with theoretical training until funding was received at the beginning of May. We were able to purchase six sewing machines on May 12, 2021.
The project will be run yearly, with each training session lasting for one year. Therefore, a new training course will start every year so that as many participants will benefit. Three Corps within the District will participate and present the Cayenne and Cogneau Corps that have already started.
There are fifteen participants currently enrolled, and the participants in Cayenne Corps are already learning how to cut a skirt.
The only challenge we are facing; at this time is the lockdown due to the spread of COVID-19, which is slowing down our training sessions. However, we continue to forge ahead with the project as it enables the participants to develop sewing skills and prepare them to build their income-generating business.
Testimonial
Charles Marie-Yannick
We have well started with the sewing class. I am very curious and interested. Presently, we are learning to make a skirt. I am very enthusiastic to learn those new skills regarding sewing. Because of the curfew, we do not have enough time to learn a lot in each class session, we have to leave the church to go back home since many of the learners live in remote areas. Despite that situation, I really appreciate the teaching of sewing skills and am grateful to the Salvation Army for this project.
