Twelve micro-entrepreneurs are now empowered to take their businesses to the next level, thanks to a financial boost in the form of a grant.
On Thursday, the Division of Health’s Realisation for Economic Achievement Programme distributed grants totalling approximately $153,000.
Secretary of Health, Wellness and Social Protection Dr. Faith Brebnor explained that her Department was established to provide support for Tobago business owners.
“That is why this Division includes services that provide you individuals who have business minds with the kind of tangible but seed support to help you to grow. The aim is to ensure that even if you came into the Division, even if you came into the Department of Social Protection for social assistance, meaning you needed help with rent, you needed a food card, you needed counsel, you needed all the things we think of as social protection. We saw the opportunity to allow you to get to the point of not needing to come into us anymore.”
Assistant Secretary of Health Megan Morrison said from 2021 to present, 81 entrepreneurs received support to the tune of over $700,000 under the Realisation for Economic Achievement (REACH) Programme.
She explained that it is more than financial support – it’s about building capacity through training.
“It is critical as part of the process. It is how we ensure that this investment doesn’t end here but continues to yield results in your businesses, your households and your community.”
Director of Social Protection, Dr. Hanif Benjamin, encouraged the recipients to explore economic innovation as they make use of the grants received.
“I want us to become innovators where we can take that very business that you have right now and move it. I want to see a one-year plan. I want to see a two-year plan. I want to see a five-year plan. I want you to move.”
The REACH programme is aimed at reducing unemployment and encouraging the creation of micro-enterprises.