Sophia residents were engaged on Tuesday afternoon regarding opportunities for employment and skills training through the Community-based Employment Stimulation Project (CESP), an initiative designed by the Ministry of Housing and Water to foster economic growth in vulnerable communities.
Hon. Susan Rodrigues, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, led the engagement along with and CH&PA’s Deputy Director of Community Development, Mrs. Donell Bess-Bascom and Engineer, Mr. Jamal Brotherson, at the ‘B’ Field Community Centre Ground.
CESP, an initiative conceptualized by President Irfaan Ali and launched in 2021, provides participants with the opportunity to produce blocks intended for the national housing drive. Minister Rodrigues detailed how the project offers start-up packages, comprehensive training, and marketing support to assist groups in the early stages of block production. The Ministry has already trained various groups, such as the North Ruimveldt Parent Support Group, which has persons living with disabilities. Minister Rodrigues further emphasized the transformative impact of the project, highlighting the example of the Leopold Street Inc group, which has evolved from block production to becoming contractors involved in home construction.
Numerous residents from Sophia expressed interest in the programme, leading to the proposal of two groups within different sections of the community. The Ministry will review these proposals to determine the appropriate course of action moving forward.
Communities targeted under CESP are Tiger Bay, Albouystown, East Ruimveldt, West Ruimveldt, Agrícola, Mocha, Lusignan, and Buxton, Victoria, Leopold Street and North Ruimveldt (Region 4); Canje (Region 6) and Linden (Region 10).
To date over ninety persons were employed under CESP. Start up packages have been provided to the Guyana Society for the blind, North Ruimveldt Parent Support group, S.B Building Supplies and Construction.-Victoria ECD and Leopold Inc.-Leopold Street/Town. A number of individuals have benefited from training in: Life Skill, Financial Management, Record Keeping, Entrepreneurial Awareness, Leadership Skills, Block making. The Ministry also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Guyana Prison Service for the production of 500,000 concrete blocks. These blocks will be used for the development of Silica City Project and help to provide economic benefits for incarcerated persons and their dependents.
The CH&PA has partnered with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, Contractors, Guyana Council of Organization for Persons with Disabilities, and Small Business Bureau.
Photos: Sydel Thomas, CH&PA PR Dept.