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Obra entrepreneurs on show

Published:Friday | June 17, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Vice-president of Da-Cuss Enterprise, Shamari Tomlinson (right), highlights the features of a bag produced by the entity to Executive Director of the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association, Imega Breese-McNab, during a mini exposition held as part of an entrepreneurship competition of the Obra youth initiative, at the East Street offices of RISE Life Management Services, downtown Kingston, recently. Da-Cuss Enterprise was one of five companies formed through the competition. Mrs Breese-McNab was one of the judges during the oral presentation segment of the exhibition.
Vice-president of Glowbal Inc, Keevan Phang (left), shows a vase manufactured by the company to Director of Programmes at the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke, during a mini exposition, held as part of an entrepreneurship competition of the Obra youth initiative, at the headquarters of RISE Life Management Services, downtown Kingston, recently. Glowbal Inc was one of five companies formed through the competition. Ms Clarke was one of the judges during the oral presentation segment of the exhibition.
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Merchandise produced for an entrepreneurship competition under the Obra youth initiative were showcased at a mini exposition held at the offices of RISE Life Management Services in downtown Kingston earlier this month.

The 120 young entrepreneurs from the low-income communities of Allman Town, Parade Gardens, and Fletchers Land created five companies - Da-Cuss, Glowbal Ink, Creative Instincts, Sassy Coutre, and KUSH, whose products include ceramics, T-shirts, motivational buttons, rings and crocheted slippers. The contestants had 15 weeks to establish their businesses and create their products. The top two teams will be announced at an awards ceremony at a date to be determined. Each of the top two companies will get a grant of J$120,000 to further expand their business, and assistance from the Sandals Foundation of Jamaica to market their products. Obra is a regional two-year initiative launched in 2009 by USAID and the International Youth Foundation to improve education and youth employment throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.

RISE is the implementing agency for the Obra project in Jamaica.

- JIS