Phase 2 - Entrepreneurship in Action Workshop 

 

The Step Up 4 Armadale 

Entrepreneurship in Action Workshop 4th April 2014

Hope Zoo and Gardens. 

 

The main objective of this workshop was for the young women to become competent with managing aspects of their lives which relate to financial literacy and sustaining their livelihoods through entrepreneurship.

 

The Jamaica National Group are the first sponsors to positively respond to the request to support the young women in the Financial Literacy education aspect of the SU4A Project. All behavioural science stakeholders agreed that it was prudent that the young women have access to support from a reputable financial institution.  In our estimation, Jamaica National went above and beyond the call of duty in supporting the girls and the Pure Potential team by providing funding and expertise to raise the young women’s conscientious awareness of the following:

 

• How to make healthy decisions related to earning, investing and spending.

• Entrepreneurial skills which will allow them to sustain their lives via self-generated income in a legal manner.

• A cohort of qualified Financial Mentors in accessible regional geographic areas.

• Secondary opportunities to re-engage in the formal education process.

 

Jamaica National chose a client to present to the girls about her entrepreneurial experience with the organization. This entrepreneur was able to genuinely connect with the young women and several of them are now interested in starting a business because she made them feel that the venture is possible for them with Jamaica National’s support.

 

Since the Entrepreneurship in Action event the weekly case management conversations with the girls have definitely featured much more of the girls’ life concerns as well as their aims and aspirations. A number of the young women have been courageous in sharing some of their ideals with us in regards to their aspired lifestyles. This has been a very positive development as many of them have previously held on to the external facade of “street toughness” which gives the appearance of rejecting help and having improved lifestyle ideals.  

 

Some individuals are more activity engaged with generating finances; no matter how small, they regularly contribute to their own financial self-maintenance.  It was very eye opening to witness one of the young women at the very end of the workshop produce costume jewellery products which she sold prior to her departure. However, others are just gaining awareness that they can be more active in their self-sustenance endeavours. We sense from our case management conversations that since the workshop they now believe they have a greater possibility of succeeding in sustaining themselves. They have not only learnt from the entrepreneurs showcased at the event, but they have been sharing with each other their unique ways of providing for their lives.

 

THE YOUNG WOMEN’S FEEDBACK ABOUT THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN ACTION EVENT

 

It was the overall view of the attendees that the workshop was a success. The goals of connecting the girls to responsible financial mentors and other ethical mentors who could contribute entrepreneurship expertise were met.

 

“Yesterday was a great success despite the weather. You went above and beyond for us yesterday and for that I want to extend my gratitude. The information given on entrepreneurship and finances were relevant and I know if the girls are half as focused as myself they won’t just listen but act and explore as their many talents.  I must apologies though about their interruptions, it’s just that they were really excited to see each other again.”   Armadale Survivor & Social Work Student