The Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, participated, on Wednesday, at the District Council of Moka, in the symbolical handing over of sewing machines to women of the region, an initiative of the Smile Train Association to empower women with entrepreneurial skills.
A total of 84 women received their sewing machines in presence of the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, the Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs, and Cooperatives, Mrs Naveena Ramyead, the Parliamentary Private Secretary, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden.
The Vice-President of the Smile Train Association, Mr Robert Yip Tong, the Ambassador of the Association, Lady Sarojini Jugnauth, and other personalities were also present.
The Smile Train Association kicked off the distribution of sewing machines on 14 February 2024 and the activity was held in different places across the country. Around 400 sewing machines have been distributed.
As for Lady Jugnauth, she indicated that the sewing machines will help these women to engage in an activity while staying at home. She also encouraged women willing to pursue entrepreneurship aspirations to register themselves at the SMEs so that they could benefit from more facilities.
Mr Yip Tong pointed out that since 2017, the Association is engaged in providing cleft care in the country and more than 250 surgeries have been conducted. The distribution of sewing machines is an incentive to empower housewives and cater to their welfare.
