Ten people have received appliances under the START UP STRONG initiative of Guyana's Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, which is intended to help them begin or grow small businesses. The account comes from the Ministry. It said the handover took place recently but did not give a date.

START UP STRONG is run by the Difficult Circumstances Unit, which sits within the Ministry. The scheme supplies equipment so that business ideas can produce an income. The Ministry did not say how recipients are chosen, how many people the scheme has helped before, or what it costs.

Dr Vindhya Persaud, the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, said that helping Guyanese to build sustainable livelihoods and reach financial independence remains a priority. That is a statement of policy intent. No targets or budget were attached to it.

The Ministry said it will keep supporting people in difficult circumstances as they work towards building livelihoods for themselves and their families. It described the scheme as a way of helping people take steps towards financial independence, personal growth and a more secure future. That is the Ministry's own assessment. It has not been backed by figures on the results of earlier support.

Several details are not known. The Ministry has not published the names or locations of the recipients, the type and value of the appliances, or the kinds of business involved. The date of the handover and the eligibility rules are also unstated. It is not clear whether the Ministry tracks how earlier recipients have fared.

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