Contributing to national development
Features
November 12, 2004

Contributing to national development

Everyone has recognised the strides made by women over the past 30 years, at least as far as St. Vincent and the Grenadines is concerned. Gone are the days when women were prepared to wait on whatever their male counterparts handed out to them. That was in the case of financial assistance for housekeeping and other domestic requirements. {{more}}

The average Vincentian woman played the home role, taking care of kids, only looking for a job in extreme circumstances. Perhaps those days produced more disciplined children, and strong family values were the order of the society.

There is a change in the social landscape, even with its accompanying ills of breakdown in law and order and lack of respect for authority.

But that is not to detract from the gains that women have achieved in many aspects of life.

The Central Leeward town of Barrouallie carries a vivid example of the positive nature of the womenfolk. Who is responsible for the introduction of supermarket services in that town?

Tribute to Sindy Richardson. She is testimony of the genuine Vincentian calibre. One with some experience in the work place, Richardson was prepared to put her secure job at risk in order to venture into the business sphere. One year later, her vision is getting acceptance, and she is set to contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy.

Such are the signs of a developing nation. Everything works together. We just have to keep putting the pieces of the puzzle in place. The dawn of a new era in trade is quickly upon us, and with the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) fast on the approach, businesses like Millennium Mart are welcome advances.

Vincentian entrepreneurship has to build and expand to adapt to the trend and Millennium Mart fits snugly into that thrust.

We have to adapt to the mentality of endorsing an indigenous culture, in whatever form it appears. In this regard, there must be appreciation for Millennium Mart’s effort. And this must be manifested not in idle talk but in patriotic and genuine community support. The best way we can demonstrate that solidarity is by shopping at Millennium Mart.