To launch the 2024 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs program, also known as the Academy for Women’s Empowerment (AWE), a comprehensive livelihood training program to empower non-working mothers was held on 7 November 2024 in Happy Hollow, a partner community of Saint Louis University (SLU).
Financed by the American Corner and the U.S. Embassy, the American Corner of SLU facilitated the said event in partnership with the SLU Office of the University President, Office of the Vice President for Mission and Identity, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, University Libraries, and Community Extension and Outreach Programs Office.
The primary objective of the livelihood training was to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial and communication skills, including production, packaging, English language enhancement, and business compliance guidance. The participants gained comprehensive business knowledge and practical skills through these topics, empowering them to start and manage their enterprises effectively. This economic empowerment helps reduce poverty and improve food security within their families and communities.
Another feature of the program was the completion of the DreamBuilder platform, an online program that offers courses to equip women with essential skills and knowledge to start or grow their businesses. The said platform provides interactive learning experiences that are complemented by in-person or virtual workshops, lectures, and mentorship from local experts and United States Government (USG) alumni. That being said, all 35 attendees received hands-on training from Mrs. Constance Florentin, an alumna and a retiree from SLU, in making home-made longganisa, tocino, and hotdog, a skill especially meaningful for the community, where many families are engaged in hog-raising.
During the training, consultations and preliminary activities were also held to ensure that participants were ready to take on their active roles and participation.
Before the livelihood program, Director of Public Engagement at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Della Hareland, along with American Spaces Program Specialist Mr. Kevin Punzalan, visited the community last 30 September 2024 at Happy Hollow and had a meaningful dialogue with the participants. The said visit and the training fostered sustainable economic growth, gender equality, and community resilience, positively impacting the lives of non-working mothers in the partner community.
The AWE livelihood program further solidified the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) advocacies on Justice and Indigenous Peoples’ Apostolate; United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) 1, 2, 5, 8, 12, and 17; American Spaces Pillar on Skills Building and English Language Teaching and Learning; and United States Embassy Mission Goal 2, which is to Increase inclusive prosperity and resilience. (Article by Joselito C. Gutierrez, PhD)
