A two-week workshop on skills training organised by the Department of Community Development (DCD) is underway in Kankuntu Bwiam, Foni Kansala District of the West Coast Region.
The training, which attracted 22 participants from the Kankuntu Women’s Skill Centre, was held to equip the participants with various skills, such as Bead-making, and Tie and Dye.
Speaking during the training expected to end on 15 April, the DCD Senior Community Development Assistant Anna Colley highlighted the importance of the training saying her office has been training women all over the country on especially income-generating skills to help them improve their material conditions and livelihood.
According to her, the women are receiving training on such skills as the art and craft of making beads and jewelleries, to help them generate income to improve the livelihood of their families.
Colley urged the participants to take the training seriously as it is one of the sure ways of eradicating poverty. She called on communities of the surrounding villages to join the centre as it is for the women of Bwiam.
The Community women programmes supervisor Haddy Camara and the Home Craft Assistant Marang Kinteh Touray both underscored the importance of skills acquisition, adding that if women are empowered with various skills they will be more productive.
They advised the participants to make good use of the knowledge gained and urged people of the area to patronise the group in buying their products.
Isatou Sanyang and Mariama Colley, on behalf of the participants, thanked the Department of Community Development for equipping them with skills that will be of immeasurable benefit.