NO WOMAN LEFT BEHIND
Bonny Gate Women’s Group empowers community to keep Jamaican traditions alive
HUDDLED IN the undercroft of the Rio Nuevo Great House, their eyes laser-focused on the needle and cloth in hand, women gather for the Bonny Gate Women’s Group needlecraft training session. The original goal was to train 60 women from Bonny Gate, St Mary – many unemployed, with children, or aiming to escape violence. They are now oversubscribed, with groups from across St Mary and St Ann flocking to the training grounds.
The ladies of Bonny Gate have produced works of art for Prince Harry, several Jamaican prime ministers, and many other dignitaries, using Jamaica’s original hardanga style of embroidery. Now they are expanding their capacity to produce by inviting more women into the fold – and transforming lives as well.
“We’re fully booked but when we get the call, it’s hard to tell the women ‘no’ because these skills could be what saves many of them from domestic violence and poverty,” said Shirley Vernon, the project manager for the Bonny Gate Women’s Group training initiative.
In 2019, the group received grant funding from the Digicel Foundation to execute their training programme. The group was selected from over 100 applicants to receive one of 15 Digicel Foundation Anniversary Grants – called the 15 Strong. With the funding, Bonny Gate Women’s Group purchased supplies and hired expert trainers to share the traditional Jamaican needlecraft with more women.
“The Digicel Foundation gave us the wings to make our dreams possible,” said Vernon. “The women are so appreciative – you should see them.”
The group also received entrepreneurship training through a partnership with the Digicel Foundation and the UWI, Mona Centre for Entrepreneurship Thinking and Practice. With this
training, the group was able to create a sustainability plan that will aid them in building and sustaining a viable enterprise that benefits the trainees and the community.
A VISION TO BUILD JAMAICA
There is a great demand for locally produced, authentic products among tourists. The art and craft industry is worth around J$4 billion, and the area of needlecraft has great potential as a ‘Made in Jamaica’ product. This project will provide income for rural women and their families, while encouraging entrepreneurship.
“This initiative was so timely. There is a major need for these skills in the tourism industry – we need to preserve our heritage in the craft industries,” said Vernon, who has been receiving daily calls from women and women’s groups who want to know how to get training in their area. “The opportunities that this training creates can only help Jamaica to achieve Vision 2030.”
Along with the production of the craft items for sale in the local markets and to businesses, a cohort of trainees will be equipped to become trainers for younger women in the surrounding communities. This should result in better quality products being made available for visitors to the island to take home with them.
ABOUT THE BONNY GATE WOMEN’S GROUP
The Bonny Gate Women’s Group was established as one of several rural women’s initiatives under the auspices of the nowdefunct Jamaica Women’s League Allsides Workroom (Allsides), a non-profit organisation established in 1936. The goal of Allsides was to improve the lives and income opportunities of rural women who stayed at home with their families.