Programme to better educate rural women starts
AN ILLITERACY eradication programme for rural women has commenced in Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice. Aimed at improving literacy among the target group and and encouraging their participation in management and the development of their communities, the pioneer project is being coordinated by the Rice Producers' Association (RPA) with funding from an institution abroad. Sixty females, aged between 18 and 35 years, are being taught Management, Science, Arts and other subjects in preparation for Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) tests. The focus of the scheme is on enhancing the quality of life and Training Coordinator Mohan Ramnauth said it is catering for early school leavers and teenage mothers. Another objective is to inculcate a sense of value, self-esteem and social independence while eschewing tendencies towards domestic violence and such forms of abuse. The proprosal emerged from a May 15, 1999 seminar at Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, in which 300 women, officials of the RPA, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) participated. The four settlements in Black Bush Polder - the others are Johanna, Mibicuri and Lesbeholden - have a total of five vibrant women's groupings. 
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