Young Entrepreneurs Thrive in YWCA Camps Focused on Empowerment and Business Skills

More than 30 young people have been developing entrepreneurial skills through two camp programmes hosted by the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) over the past four weeks.

The Empower Her Beauty Camp and Summer Chefs Camp, now in their second year, have seen a surge in interest from both children and parents, according to YWCA president Kerrilyn Walters. Speaking at the annual Open Day held at the YWCA grounds in Deacon, Walters told Barbados TODAY: “This year we got a wonderful response, [and] it was far better than last year.”

The beauty camp focused on teaching practical skills such as hair plaiting, which many participants had not known previously. “I’ve seen their work, and I’ve also seen parents very proud and excited for their daughters to actually learn from the camp,” Walters said. “Some are even interested in starting their own business.”

Participants in the culinary camp have acquired skills that could provide financial opportunities. They have produced items for sale, including barbecue sauce, various beverages, and fish cake batter. The beauty camp attendees have also learned to crochet, creating sellable items such as scrunchies, hats, headbands, and keyrings.

The YWCA aims to expand its entrepreneurial training offerings, with plans to include social media management courses. Walters explained: “If a young lady or a young man is interested in having their own business then social media and Instagram particularly would be the space they would advertise on. So we are going to offer a course where they would be able to know the ins and outs of Instagram, how they can market their products on social media, and really get some money going.”

The organisation’s goal is to inspire young people to consider entrepreneurship seriously or at least become self-sufficient. “We are really hoping that a lot of them can take the entrepreneurship journey seriously, or just be self-sufficient at home,” Walters added.