Ishara in Guyana: Stories of Strength & Leadership that Lift a Nation

Happy Independence Day, Guyana! 🇬🇾

Welcome to a very special episode of Ishara’s Reading Podcast! 

Earlier this year, Ishara had the incredible opportunity to visit Guyana during International Women’s Day celebrations, and it became an experience she will never forget. 💛💚❤️

From meeting the First Lady to interviewing government ministers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, Ishara explored the beauty, brilliance, and culture of the country connected to her own heritage.

This special podcast series begins with her experience at the WE LIFT Expo, Guyana’s major women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship conference held during International Women’s Day celebrations, bringing together hundreds of women business leaders and innovators.

In this first episode, Ishara interviews Minister Priya Manickchand, inspiring female entrepreneurs, and women building the future of Guyana through leadership, creativity, and innovation.

And this is only the beginning!

More episodes from Guyana are coming soon featuring powerful conversations, unforgettable moments, and a young journalist discovering her roots through storytelling. You can watch this episode on my Youtube Channel: Ishara’s Journey: Science, Skating, and Podcast

#Guyana #GuyanaIndependence #InternationalWomensDay #WeLiftGuyana #IsharasReadingPodcast #WomenWhoLead #CaribbeanGirls #YouthJournalist #GirlsInMedia #PodcastKids #STEMGirls #FutureLeaders

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:07

Hi, it's Ishara here from the Shara's Reading Podcast. Right now we're going to the Wii Lip's sixth anniversary celebrating Women's International Day. We are going right now to the exhibition expo. Come on.

SPEAKER_02 0:24

Let's go find some people that's the open from Oli and Beyond.

SPEAKER_03 0:40

My mom does party as long as I know. She showed me how to do party, she teached me everything she knew. So I'm just literally just adding to her legacy by teaching others to the studio and handle, wheel throwing, just making a point after that's what you did today.

SPEAKER_01 0:56

Is there a certain book that you might read that you might recommend for people who really want to do pottery, but kind of don't know where to start and certainly.

SPEAKER_03 1:04

Well, I would say instead of reading a book, let some firsthand experience by going to a studio. What is the stake in your first part of your class? You know, you don't need any experience. If you come to our studio, you don't need any experience. We teach you how to create, we teach you how to design, we make you sure how to paint and everything. Full experience.

unknown 1:21

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 1:22

And I'll learn everything from my mom.

SPEAKER_02 1:24

It's sweet that you wanted it for your mom today.

SPEAKER_03 1:27

Yes, everything.

SPEAKER_02 1:28

I like popcorn.

SPEAKER_03 1:30

Like books? Yes, I like books too. I'll my favorite book is the power of power of the book.

SPEAKER_02 1:36

I think someone recommended that too. You should read it. Right now we're with Miss Minister Bria. What's it like being one of the ministers of Guyana? Well, I feel very privileged to be able to serve you. Um, I think everybody could serve in any position they're in. So you could serve as a child, your teacher is of service, your mama is of service. So I feel very privileged being able to be in a place where I could serve many people at the same time nationally. What's it like to be at We Lift, where several women entrepreneurs are actually at?

SPEAKER_00 2:23

So what do you think?

SPEAKER_02 2:24

Well, it's really amazing because I see talent here that I didn't even know we had. I saw a girl making beautiful jewelry out of um her mother's orchids. I saw people making jewelry out of copper. Look, I have one hair. I saw people making jewelry out of um sea glass, candles, handmade, soaps that are handmade, using our local products like um turmeric and salts and sugars. And so, yeah, I think it's really amazing. It inspires me to see that I could bring out my artistic side too. Yeah, it was actually a pottery book that was here yesterday. Ever relocated or it's gonna be here tomorrow, and I think you'll really like it because you're gonna get to use your artistic side. I got to make a cup, but it's only half done right now. Well, I could try to come. Yeah, but thank you for your interview. You're on right now. We're with Miss Marion. She's one of the people who helps that packing attitude. What's it like working there? Okay, so packing attitude was only born this year, but I have done many beaded things before, but now I really saw the phone chains and really like them, so I said, let me plunge into it, and now I am here with a whole lot of them.

SPEAKER_00 3:44

What's it like being an onto the board here at We List, which is one of the biggest gatherings now, one to sixth time this has ever happened.

SPEAKER_02 3:54

Okay, so this is my third time actually, but um, the first two times I did snacks like planted shapes, chicken food, so I can do all of that too. But I took a little turn to cross, so I am here now this year with Cross, and it has been amazing. Thank you, Miss Miriam, for coming on to my podcast. You're welcome. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity, Miss Sadia. Please tell me about your business, buffs and swaps. Okay, so my business is all about encouraging guineas in spark conversations by focusing our history and culture. So I utilize social media to talk about our history and culture, and I also carry some souvenir pieces featuring some of our major landmarks to keep the conversation going, both on social media and off of social media. Which is your favorite one? I'd have to say coffee right now, the 1763 Monument. Remembering that Coffee paved away in terms of revolution and freedom in the Caribbean. So this is a timely reminder, um, especially for me where my resolutions are concerned, for me not to procrastinate because coffee has to take action in order for us to get freedom. It's the one that I like personally. I like the waterfall because I always want to see it and it looks beautiful on TV. We definitely can take a trip there if the opportunity comes up. What's it like being at Wheelist? Um, it's good so far, interacting with persons, making connections, you know, really making persons aware of your business, what you're doing, and then it kind of reminds you of why you started in the first place because you have to keep repeating that so often. Right now I'm with Miss Ita and Miss Aja. Their help run sweet fantasies. Tell me, what's it like being here at WeLift right now? I'm very excited. This is my first time I'm here, so it's a new new experience for me. Very nice. I like it here. What about you? It's my first time here too. What's it like running help running sweet nancy's? I want to spread the sweetness of my of my products to let everybody try them. What's your personal favorite one? Oh, my personal favorite is plant. That isn't that like the jelly custard thing, yes, yes, yes. Lots of fun words say, and I like bumbozilli too. Thank you, Bye. And with Miss Ronda, what's it like actually doing all of this? Making your business. Oh, it's the business is very challenging, it's a lot of work. And managing a house, it's a lot. If I make it work, being here right now, second time ever so you have some experience, but for the second time you get to see all these businesses that live in my business, such as yours. The first time I was there, I wasn't doing the omega product and I wasn't doing my omega temper and seasoning, I was doing my air product. I also have the air product brand, it's called the Ronald Mouth Air World Farm and Air Cream. So this is my first time doing my omega seasoning and temperature. And the thing that makes one that one thing that I guess makes your business specialist you get to take all the samples. Yes. You get a chance to taste my seasoning, smell it. I guess it smells if the size is so you'll have to purchase the season.

SPEAKER_00 8:40

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Shards Reading Podcast. Don't forget to like the video and smash that subscribe button.