MONTHLY FEATURED PROJECT
Rags to riches: the Little Lane Women’s group story
High unemployment, shortage of job opportunities and youth exclusion are only a
few of the driving forces behind the high levels of crime and violence within
inner city communities. The lack of employment opportunities as well as low
levels of literacy and marketable skills have created a fertile environment for
delinquency and engagement in criminal activities.
Over the years the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) through its Inner City Basic Services Project (ICBSP), has embarked on a wide range of social intervention programmes in order to meet the physical and social needs of targeted communities and has been reaping tremendous success in getting some residents to turn their lives around.
One such programme is the Little Lane Women’s group, “Rags to Riches” initiative which is part of a social intervention targeting women in Central Village, St. Catherine. The overall objective of this initiative is to provide legitimate activities which will help to reduce involvement in deviant behaviour and contribute to income generation. Specifically, this programme is geared towards capacity-building and the development of income-generating skills for approximately 1,200 women in the Central Village Community. This group promotes unity, self –reliance and independence through activities focused on life skills and entrepreneurial training, as well as workshops in areas such as fashion designing, jewelry making, floral and gift basket arrangements and assorted crafts. The group is now actively involved in the production of bathroom accessories such as: decorative bunnies, candles, and diaper and tissue holders.
According to Alicia Williams, ICBSP Social Officer, the members of the Little Lane Women’s Group are now well on the road to economic self-sufficiency and have reached positions where they are capable of independently running their own businesses. “We at JSIF are strong believers in the principle of sustainable community-driven development and strengthening local capacities, so that people are equipped to help themselves. We are dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping persons realize their fullest potential.”
Central Village is one of the 12 pre-selected communities which were targeted by the JSIF implemented Inner-City Basic Services Project (ICBSP), which aims to improve access in targeted poor inner-city communities to basic services including reliable potable water, sanitation, solid waste management, road infrastructure and related community-based services. High on the ICBSP‘s agenda is the reduction in the incidence of crime and violence in targeted inner city communities. The project also seeks to strengthen community capacity to develop, manage and maintain basic infrastructure in the targeted communities.
Over the years the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) through its Inner City Basic Services Project (ICBSP), has embarked on a wide range of social intervention programmes in order to meet the physical and social needs of targeted communities and has been reaping tremendous success in getting some residents to turn their lives around.
One such programme is the Little Lane Women’s group, “Rags to Riches” initiative which is part of a social intervention targeting women in Central Village, St. Catherine. The overall objective of this initiative is to provide legitimate activities which will help to reduce involvement in deviant behaviour and contribute to income generation. Specifically, this programme is geared towards capacity-building and the development of income-generating skills for approximately 1,200 women in the Central Village Community. This group promotes unity, self –reliance and independence through activities focused on life skills and entrepreneurial training, as well as workshops in areas such as fashion designing, jewelry making, floral and gift basket arrangements and assorted crafts. The group is now actively involved in the production of bathroom accessories such as: decorative bunnies, candles, and diaper and tissue holders.
According to Alicia Williams, ICBSP Social Officer, the members of the Little Lane Women’s Group are now well on the road to economic self-sufficiency and have reached positions where they are capable of independently running their own businesses. “We at JSIF are strong believers in the principle of sustainable community-driven development and strengthening local capacities, so that people are equipped to help themselves. We are dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping persons realize their fullest potential.”
Central Village is one of the 12 pre-selected communities which were targeted by the JSIF implemented Inner-City Basic Services Project (ICBSP), which aims to improve access in targeted poor inner-city communities to basic services including reliable potable water, sanitation, solid waste management, road infrastructure and related community-based services. High on the ICBSP‘s agenda is the reduction in the incidence of crime and violence in targeted inner city communities. The project also seeks to strengthen community capacity to develop, manage and maintain basic infrastructure in the targeted communities.
