Training for Women of Seychelles

2016 Women’s Entrepreneurial Workshop

We are providing a multi-day entrepreneurial training workshop for women and girls in the Republic of Seychelles in October, 2016.

All donations are tax deductible. Checks may be sent to: Friends of Seychelles c/o Beth Willis: 7505 Zircon DR SW, Lakewood, WA 98498.

The training will be focused on encouraging women to start their own businesses in order to provide for their families and potentially grow the workforce in the Seychelles. The training will provide enhancement of the women's life skills development, economic development training and self-worth enhancement.

Republic of Seychelles is a 115-island country in the Indian Ocean with a population of roughly 93,000 people. Seychelles' main industries include tourism, fishing, farming, oil drilling and manufacturing. In 2009, the University of Seychelles was established and is the country’s only higher education facility. There are currently about 200 students based on two campuses. Because of limited, but growing and impactful, higher education opportunities, the Republic of Seychelles is open to this training opportunity as another resource for their citizens.

Foreign workers in the country, both skilled and unskilled, also have impacted employment opportunities, causing some Seychellois workers to migrate to other countries in search of better opportunities; local youth unemployment has increased.

This project is for 25 young women who, upon completion of the course, will have the knowledge and encouragement needed to start businesses that create jobs for themselves, their families and others in the community. This project is also meant to help diversify the types of businesses operating in the country to help ensure a prosperous 21st century future for its citizens. The training will run three days.

Some trainers have participated in similar projects in Honduras, Guatemala, Turkey, Mali and Ecuador. Rotarian Linda Danforth is the designated TEAM leader and has been on all these previous training projects.

The curriculum will include the following topics by professionals in their fields:

* Collectives, startup creative businesses and teaching jewelry designed and produced from local products
(Linda is the founder of numerous art collectives and private entities, and owner of her own jewelry design business.)

* Business Plan and Publishing (including e-publications and self publishing) your story or entrepreneurial content
(Michelle is a published author and helps others publish their books and manuals. She is also a partner of Agility, LLC, where she consults to small businesses and nonprofits.)

* Sales development, Leadership development, Discover Your Strengths, Team building, Goal Setting, Personal Branding. Business Planning
(Karen is Sales Manager/Senior Loan Consultant at New American Funding.)

* Business branding, building a network, promoting your product/service online using social media
(Andrea leads the communications and marketing efforts for Lake Washington Institute of Technology and also is an entrepreneur and Executive Coach.)

* Economic development tools for start-ups and benefits of cooperative efforts.
(Shari is the Economic Development Specialist for the City of Tacoma, assisting small business owners, developers, and neighborhood business districts.)

* Contracts, Agreements, Handshakes, and Employees
(Jack has his own law firm and focuses on business establishments and contracts.)


In addition to support from Tacoma Sunset Rotary, the training TEAM of six intend to raise funds to pay for their air transportation, hotels, training supplies and other costs.

Many of the craft materials were donated by Fire Mountain Gems of Grants Pass, Oregon, USA.

We are in contact with Rotary International  District 9220 organizations in Seychelles to join in this endeavor.

We have the support of the Seychelles Government for assistance in sponsored meals, in-country transportation, materials duplication, training facility and any other unidentified costs incurred in country.

Community Assessment & Impact

After many discussions with Lise Church, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Seychelles, it was determined this would be a beneficial educational opportunity and she made introductions to the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Labor for further conversations. We expect that after this training there will be an effort made to support these young women with their new business startups. The Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) has asked to have adults working with you also be in attendance at the training.

The Beneficiary is Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), Republic of Seychelles (an agency under the Vice President’s Office). SNYC will coordinate the Seychellois students who will participate in the training.