First batch of hinterland scholarship recipients complete maritime training

Twenty women from the Barima-Waini Region graduated on Saturday from the Atlantic Maritime and Offshore Training Institute (AAMOTI) through a scholarship programme between the Institute and the OfficeoftheFirstLady

Thegraduationtookplace during a simple ceremony at AAMOTI's Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Saturday afternoon. The 20 womenwerethefirstbatchof a total of 100 women who will benefit from the scholarship programme which commenced earlier this year The women spent the last week at the institute undergoing the Basic Safety Training (BST) and Ship SecurityAwareness Training, a press release from the OfficeoftheFirstLadysaid.

In her charge to the graduates, First Lady Arya Ali said that the road ahead will not be an easy one for themduetoage-oldproblems like gender equality “It is never easy, especially for us women. Because while we've come so far, the truth is that those age old problems of gender equality are stubborn and they haven't fully gone away,” she said, adding that there will be times when they will like people are looking rightpastthemorseeingthem for a fraction of who they reallyare.

“And the President and I know just how frustrating that experience can be. So for us,itisveryimportantthatwe provide you with these kinds of opportunities which allow you to maximize your potential in every aspect of yourlives,”Mrs.Alinoted.

Shealsoencouragedthem to chart a new course for themselves, and to create the kinds of radical changes in society that are needed to advance the cause of women.

“Stay true to the most real, most sincere, and most authentic parts of yourselves. I want you to ask those basic questions: Who do you want to be? What inspires you?

How do you want to give back?And then I want you to take a deep breath and trust yourselves to chart your own course and make your mark ontheworld,”MrsAliadded.

Delivering remarks at the event too, was Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, who told the graduates that this was only part of their journey and that the next step entails them utilizing their qualifications to access employment opportunities

“The next step is to ensure youusewhatyounowhaveto empower yourselves by earninganincome.Guyanais movingatarapidpaceandwe arehappythatpeoplelikeyou aremovinginthatforward

(Continued on page 70)