Last Thursday, 28 commercial sex workers got a step closer on their way to changing careers, as they graduated from level one in housekeeping skills at Heather Little-White and Associates. Funded by UNAIDS, the six-week training programme covered the basics - from the proper way to set a table, to making a bed, and taking care of the elderly or disabled, which some of the graduates admitted they didn't know much about, before.

Princess* told Flair, "I wanted to be certified and when it comes to learning, the sky is the limit." She explained that her 17-year-old daughter was also very proud of her, and told her that now when she is completing a form that asks for her mother's occupation, she can put that her mother works for a government ministry.

One of the male graduates proudly told Flair how much he enjoyed learning the proper way to vacuum and the self-defence classes. Dr Heather Little-White conceptualised the idea while located at Braemar Avenue, where many commercial sex workers offer their services. They told her they would like some training and so the programme was born. She said that in the future, she hoped the programme would move into cosmetology and food preparation.

In reflecting, one of the graduates said, "I no longer look at myself as a sex worker and I hope my other classmates will make the same decision now or very soon." This was received with thunderous applause.

Poet Joan Andrea Hutchinson, and entertainers Queen Ifrica and Tony Rebel also gave the graduates words of encouragement, telling them they could be all they wanted to be, and though they could change their past, they had a choice for their future.

The graduates were all beaming as they accepted their certificates of participation. In the vote of thanks, Judiththanked those associated with the project saying, "You made me feel like somebody."

Some of the graduates have already secured employment at government ministries, private homes and the hotel industry.

*Name changed to protect identity.