A non-governmental organisation, Nest of Hope Foundation, has trained 24 less fortunate female children in different trades in Akwa Ibom State.
It was learnt that some of the trainees had been raped, sexually abused and ended up pregnant, as school dropouts, and emotionally traumatised.
Girls Advocate, Mrs. Inyene Raymond, said in Uyo that the girls were trained for five days on beads making, fascinators, makeovers and skincare.
Raymond stated that prior to the five days skill acquisition training in Uyo, which ended on Friday, the NGO had in a similar programme trained and empowered girls in Itu LGA of the state.
She stated that the foundation had also gone to a secondary school in Ifiayong Usuk, Uruan Local Government Area and screened female students on all forms of sexually transmitted diseases and also rebranded the school’s signpost.
According to her, the foundation had conducted a heart-to-heart talk with school girls on sex education and precaution at Methodist Church, Nung Oku, Uyo.
Raymond added that the NGO also campaigned in schools against teenage pregnancy.
She said that her organisation inaugurated Campaign for Teepreg and Vesicovaginal Fistula, donating drugs, food items, mattresses, clothes and candlelight procession for victims of VVF Centre in Itam.
“Apart from being a community where vulnerable and disadvantaged girls, women and youths live positive and sustainable lives, we also act like a bridge for a total reformation for the abused and disadvantaged youth and girls and give them a sense of belonging,” she said.
Raymond explained that the girls and women had been tutored on challenges facing women in business and how to overcome them.
She noted that the trainees had also been instructed on how to build a network that could support and provide new connections and opportunities for them.
Head, Training and Research, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor on Skill Development, Mr. Godwin George, assured the trainees that government would set them up in their different trades.
George added that the government, apart from setting them up in business, would monitor them and see how they progressed till they were able to employ people on their own.
@punch
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