120 women receive business starter kits at We Lift 6 expo

Mar 10, 2026 News

---

(Kaieteur News) – One hundred and twenty women from across Guyana received business starter packs on Sunday aimed at helping them launch or expand their entrepreneurial ventures during the closing ceremony of the We Lift 6 Conference and Expo held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), two women from each administrative region were selected to benefit from the initiative after completing a series of training programmes. The participants underwent training in areas such as social media marketing, graphic design, garment construction, child care, and elderly care. These courses were completed under the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) through the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute.

Women who completed the garment construction programme received industrial sewing machines, while those trained in child care were provided with toys and learning materials to support early childhood services. Participants who pursued training in social media marketing were equipped with laptop computers to assist with their digital business operations.

In addition to the distribution of starter packs, several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed with key partners to expand support services for women entrepreneurs. The agreements are intended to strengthen the support system available to women in business by providing access to training opportunities, mentorship, and additional business development resources.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said the initiative is aimed at removing barriers that often prevent women from pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions.

“For me, it has always been about dismantling barriers, especially for women who have potential that many times delay exploring it because of the many challenges they face,” the minister stated.

She explained that many women begin their entrepreneurial journeys from their homes while balancing family responsibilities and working to grow their businesses. Through initiatives such as We Lift and WIIN, the government is creating pathways for women to transition from micro-enterprises into sustainable small and medium-scale businesses.

The We Lift 6 Conference and Expo opened on Friday and concluded on Sunday, bringing together women from across the country to showcase their businesses. The event aimed to raise awareness of women-led enterprises while providing entrepreneurs with exposure and networking opportunities.

Among the participants was 20-year-old business owner Shalini Deokumar, who shared her experience with Kaieteur News on Monday. She said the expo provided valuable lessons that will help her strengthen her business.

“My experience at the expo was truly amazing. It served as a valuable learning opportunity for me as a small business owner. Although I did not receive as many sales as I had hoped and planned for, the event taught me several important lessons,” Deokumar said.

Deokumar explained that she first started an online shopping business at the age of 16 and later launched a venture producing and selling raw Batana hair oil in 2025.

She noted that the expo exposed her to new marketing strategies and ways to better present her products. “I learned new marketing strategies, including how to creatively display my products to attract customers, and most importantly, the value of patience in business. Since I was only confirmed and selected for my booth the day before the expo, many people were not aware that I would be there until the day of the event, so my planning and promotion had to be done at the last minute. Despite this challenge, the experience helped me grow, gain more knowledge about presenting my products, and better prepare for future opportunities,” she explained.

Deokumar added that she is proud to be one of Guyana’s leading distributors of 100 percent raw Batana oil. “I started my Batana business on November 26 with just one gallon of Batana oil. As the demand grew, I expanded in December by purchasing two more gallons. By the end of January, the business had grown significantly and I was able to increase my stock to twelve gallons. Continuing this growth, by the end of February I further expanded my product line by introducing one gallon each of Batana shampoo and conditioner,” she said. She noted that the steady expansion of her business reflects dedication, consistency, and growing customer support.

---

• business starter kits, We Lift 6 expo, WIIN, women business

---