Graphic artist with disability, visually impaired agro-processor receive small business grants

Eight persons living with disabilities, who are entrepreneurs of small businesses, each received a $500,000 grant from the Small Business Bureau on Wednesday.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commence Oneidge Waldron handed over the grants to the beneficiaries.

Among those who benefited are an agro-process, a boutique owner and a graphic designer.

Altogether, the grants distributed to the eight persons amounted to $4M.

In her remarks during a simple handing-over ceremony, Dr Persaud said the programme was drafted to ensure that loans and development for persons living with disabilities is guaranteed.

“The interest is minimal, the terms are not harsh and so it really caters for persons living with disabilities to get on their feet, have a longer time to pay back and pay forward so persons can access these kinds of opportunities,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister Waldron said the grant is an example of the government’s philosophy that no person should be excluded from the development plan and programmes.

“Everyone one of our citizens needs to be reached and their quality and standard of life needs to be made better,” she said.

One of the recipients, Lawrence Braithwaite, who is visually impaired, owns an agro-processing business.

He told the News Room that he started the business seven years ago to maintain his family.

“The loan is going to help me to get a computer along with some pouches for my products. I want a printer too so I can print the labels on the products,” Braithwaite said.

Braithwaite is hoping to expand his business.

“It is a good thing that the government has started and I am looking forward to much more support in terms of us being able to expand because I work just in just a small kitchen area,” he said.

Graphic owner, Andrea Griffith’s story is similar.

Bedridden for seven years, Griffith told the News Room that after being trained by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, she started up her business so that she could earn and not have to be dependent on anyone.

“I wanted to be able to take care of myself.

“I do plan to utilise it in having equipment that I need… and some of my stuff that I need would have to be imported… So basically to enhance my business,” Andrea said.