Approximately thirty residents from the historic community of Port Royal recently benefitted from a four-month economic opportunities programme facilitated by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports.
Dubbed the Port Royal Product Development/Economic Opportunities programme, participants were trained by Nigerian Artisans; Alao Luqman O and Pendo Peji in the craft-based techniques of batik, chasing and repousse and beading (Jewellery Making). The participants also received business development training from JBDC with a view to having them create sustainable businesses to market the products developed.
Among the products developed were Jewellery pieces such as necklaces, earrings and arm pieces, fashion items including dresses, blouses and skirts as well as wall pieces made using the chasing and repousse technique.
In a grand product display on Friday, June 14 at Fort Charles in Port Royal, the participants showcased the newly minted products to an audience which included Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports – Hon. Olivia Grange, Nigerian High Commissioner – Her Excellency Janet Olisa and Chief Executive Officer of the JBDC – Valerie Veira.
Guests of the event the Hon. Olivia Grange, Miss Valerie Veira & Her Excellency Janet Olisa engage with some of the participants in the Project who took the opportunity to show off their new products. In the photo on the left is client, Jameel Simpson (Chasing & Repousse) and Jennifer Henry (Beading) on the right.
The participants were also presented with Certificates of Participation to mark their involvement in the programme.
