Home economics training for female wards

Twenty-one female wards in the care of the Department of Correctional Services have benefited from a three-month home economics programme.

The programme was conducted at the South Camp Juvenile Remand and Correctional Centre in St Andrew and was certified by the HEART Trust/NTA.

It forms part of the project dubbed A New Path – Promoting a Healthy Environment and Productive Alternatives for Juvenile Remandees and Offenders in Jamaica.

The project is managed by the Organisation of American States and funded by the United States Agency for International Development with support from the Trust for Americas.

The Ministry of National Security says the main objective of the three-month course was to use home economics as a sustainable enterprise that could enhance the development and employability of the young women.

Further, the ministry said providing the female wards with a marketable skill would assist their reintegration into society.

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of National Security, Laura Plunkett, speaking at the graduation ceremony, encouraged the young women to aim as high as they possibly can.

“Your journey does not have to be one in which you are alone. Projects such as ‘A New Path’ can positively change your lives and guide you along your journey to economic independence,” Plunkett said.

“I urge you to leverage the knowledge and skills you have gained over the last 12 weeks to forge a brighter future…remember the skills you have learned and know that through this project, support will be provided to assist you with your transition into society,” she added.

The wards were exposed to commercial food preparation, social graces, plate setting and etiquette.

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