The mangrove restoration project is beginning to benefit communities, financially. The incomeMelissa Barnwell, Shop Manager assisting customersgenerating aspect recently commenced with members of the Mangrove Reserves Women?s Group marketing its produce to people who visit the Mangrove Reserves Centre, Victoria,[url=http://www.cheapjerseysshare.us@#$%&/]Cheap Jerseys[/url], East Coast Demerara.While in the initial stage of the mangrove restoration project it was known that the presence of mangroves will create avenues for employment such as catching crabs and fishes, and beekeeping,[url=http://www.cheapjerseysfan.us@#$%&/]China Jerseys Cheap[/url], the idea for marketing agro-processed foods was born through the stakeholder consultations.According to Annette Arjoon, Chairperson, Mangrove Action Committee, through consultations held to inform communities about the importance of mangroves, it was identified that the women needed to enhance their livelihoods.She revealed that currently there are women from five communities between Golden Grove and Belfield,[url=http://www.cheapestnfljerseys.us@#$%&/]Cheap NFL Jerseys China[/url], East Coast Demerara benefiting from the venture. Arjoon emphasised that the group will be expanded to accommodate other women?s group from Region Six.This move will broaden the variety of items available for visitors? consumption. Some of the produce they market include honey, which is obtained from the mangroves, pepper sauce, and craft.The expansion of the project is highly anticipated since the number of visitors to the Centre is increasing. Arjoon asserted that the concentration of visitors is highest during the weekends and last month over 200 persons toured the Centre and the mangrove reserves.However, more resources are desired to bring about the required change in the lives of the women and the communities. Arjoon stated that the group is working towards building linkages with the Ministry of Agriculture for support in terms of packaging and marketing.The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security already supported the programme through the provision of the Centre. Within a few months after workshops on quality control and business management the kitchen attached to the Centre will be used as a cottage industry.Arjoon noted that the human resources capacity for the continuity of the project is available.The shop manager is Melissa Barnwell, the winner of the GYBT/IPED Business Plan Competition 2010. In addition, a business plan is being formulated by a University of the West Indies Masters in Business Administration student.Arjoon stressed that this will bring about unity among the women as they work collectively in achieving their common goal. Moreover,[url=http://www.cheapjerseysfan.us@#$%&/]Authentic Jerseys Cheap[/url], it will allow for better quality control and management for the upcoming expansion.She said that the group will be preparing Christmas baskets for sales to the public and not limited to the visitors. They will comprise bottled honey, pepper sauce, seasoning and chips.Another venture the group is working towards achieving is offering breakfasts on the last Sunday of every month. She noted that after they would have eaten their breakfasts the visitors will be given the opportunity to tour the mangroves reserves.This is another avenue that generates income for persons in nearby communities. The rangers are trained tour guides and are paid $3,[url=http://www.wholesalesportsjerseys.us@#$%&/]Jerseys From China[/url],000 per tour. They provide a brief history of the Centre as it is in existence since there were cotton plantations in Guyana. Then the visitors are taken to view the mangroves.Besides seeking support from the government for the prosperity of the project,[url=http://www.nfljerseyscheaponline.us@#$%&/]Wholesale NFL Jerseys Online[/url], the Mangrove Restoration Committee has been making appeals to the entire country to get on board.The Lions Club of Durban Park has responded and is hoping within a few months to commence planting seedlings.According to Lion Maxine Cummings,[url=http://www.wholesalesportsjerseys.us@#$%&/]Wholesale Authentic Jerseys[/url], club members wanted to get involved in the mangrove restoration project to make a difference in the environment. She noted that already the Lions were exposed to a session on mangroves led by Arjoon.Cummings added that the club?s participation is also as a result of a call from the international Lions? challenge for clubs worldwide to plant 100 trees.