WOMEN IN Hagley Gap are using scandal bags to create handbags, hats and clothing. Zeidi Neutville, project manager for the Blue Mountain Project - which is dedicated to partnering with the people of Hagley Gap district to improve health, education and the economy - told The Gleaner that creative and innovative ways are developed to engage the women in the community.

"We have about 10 ladies here, and we operate at the clinic daily, and they use scandals bags to make things like hats, handbags, beach bags, market bags, among other things," Neutville told The Gleaner on Wednesday during a visit to the community.

"What we do is collect the bags, and the ladies cut them into long strips. They then roll them unto sticks, and then they crochet them into whatever is it that they want to make," she shared.

"The branch abroad collects bags for us, and the Pan Caribbean company along with GraceKennedy also come on board in collecting bags for us, so that our ladies have enough materials to work with," she said.

IncreasIng marketability

Neutville said the aim is to create a platform where the women can be gainfully occupied. The manager also said the project creates an avenue through which they can earn money and make themselves marketable.

"We just want to make these ladies marketable and provide them with skills so that they are ready for the working world," she declared.

"Persons from Pan Caribbean and GraceKennedy make their orders sometimes, and ladies from abroad purchase their products, and these are some of the ways they make money from this," she said.

Neutville added: "We, however, wish that we could have more persons coming on-board to assist with funding and sponsors. We are still blessed. Our branch abroad does different fund-raising events, such as candle sales and walkathons, among other things, but I would appreciate if more persons could come on-board to help with funds".