Hepsibah
Mommies Initiative, a humanitarian NGO, on Monday provided
entrepreneurial training and start-up capital for indigent single
mothers and widows in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the women were empowered at
the 2018 annual conference and fundraising event for of the NGO tagged:
“Rising from Our Ashes” held in Abuja.
The
NGO gave micro business grants and other incentives to widows and
vulnerable women drawn from different rural settlements in the
territory.
Mrs
Violet Olalekan-Alabi, the founder of the organisation said that the
gesture was in line with the group’s core values of providing and
empowering single mothers and widows in rural areas.
“In line
with our vision, we are here to have this category of women trained and
empowered to improve their livelihood and that of their children.
“We
have observed that most homes are run by these single mothers and
widows, especially in the rural communities, and many of them earn
little or nothing as income to meet their needs.
“Although,
we are committed to providing assistance to single mothers in all
categories, widows in rural areas need empowerment and succor,” she
said.
Mrs
Naomi Osemedua, Founder of ‘Women with Stories’ and speaker at the
event, urged the women to be prudent in investing the capital they were
given in order for their business to grow as entrepreneurs.
She
called on philantropists, corporate organisations and Nigerians of
goodwill to identify with the NGO in providing succor for widows and
other vulnerable women.
“I
urged these beneficiaries to properly manage what has been given to
them today for them to grow their businesses and remain economically
independent, even as single mothers.
“We
also called on well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with this movement
because when women are economically empowered, the society will be
better for it,” she said.
Mrs
Patience Isaac, a widow and mother of three, who was given fund for her
accommodation, besides business capital, expressed gratitude to the
NGO.
“I
was living in an uncompleted building until Hepsibah Mommies came to my
rescue, gave me business capital, and has also promised to pay my
child’s school fees,” she explained.
Besides
the financial empowerment and business training, the conference also
featured social interactions and sensitisation on healthy lifestyle and
relationships.
Seasoned
resource persons spoke to the women on effective parenting, income
generation and the need to be self-reliant economically, amongst other
activities.