An initiative aimed at strengthening women’s skills and employability was formally launched this week, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Rotary Club of Montserrat and local sewing enterprise, UnSewcial.
The partnership, funded through a Rotary District Grant, will see young women on island receive training in sewing, using equipment and materials purchased through district funds.
President of the Rotary Club of Montserrat, Audris Jno-Baptiste, described the signing as a historic moment for the club, noting that the project reflects Rotary’s commitment to empowering young women through entrepreneurship and skills development.
Entrepreneur and self-taught seamstress Kristen Taylor-Hilton welcomed the collaboration, noting that while sewing is often viewed as an outdated skill, it offers significant economic and therapeutic benefits, and has the potential to empower women creatively and financially.
Taylor-Hilton added that details of the training programme will be finalised and shared publicly in the coming weeks.
Meantime… District Governor Saraya Gustav-Warner, who presented the certificate to praised the Rotary Club of Montserrat for initiating the project, noted that it aligns directly with Rotary International’s focus on growing local economies.
She said the programme provides participants with a marketable skill that can support households and contribute to community development.
Governor Gustav-Warner explained that the project is funded through the Rotary Foundation, supported by contributions from Rotarians worldwide, allowing clubs to reinvest in meaningful community-based initiatives.