John Diidi
40 less-privileged girls and young women are set to enjoy a new lease on life as the Ekom Charity Foundation in partnership with the Mater Dei Girls Center, D-line, Port Harcourt, began the training of girls and young women in baking and making of small chops (spring rolls, Samosa and puff puff) so as to equip them with the necessary skills that will ensure self sufficiency.
The event was put together by the founder of the foundation, Dr Nimi Ekere, to mark her birthday celebration.
Speaking for the Ekom Charity Foundation, Comrade Living Olavokere told Theportcitynews.com that the event was put together to empower the selected women for their personal sustainability.
He said: “What’s happening here today is that on the 2nd of July, my principal clocked forty years. And in celebrating her birthday, she decided to organize an outreach program for 40 girls and young women. That’s why we are here.
“The program is basically about the different baking skills, like making of cakes, small chops, Samosa spring roll and all the rest.
“By the grace of God, we are hopeful that after the training, they will be empowered so that they can set up there own businesses.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients of the empowerment programme, Joy bright, who also doubles as the program officer of the Mater Dei Girls Center, lauded the Ekom Charity Foundation for putting the programme together.
According to her: “This is a wonderful way to empower the girl child with skills. Doing something like this will help enhance our baking skills. I’m very happy about this and ecstatic to learn more.
On what should be done after the training, Joy Bright requested for more sponsorship.
“I want people to actually further sponsor the girls, give them money to start up something. It’s not just about learning, they have to put them into practice.
“For that to happen, the girls need capital. So if they can empower them, by giving them money to start something, that will be very nice.
The Visioner of the Mater Dei Girls Center, Lady Doris Onyeneke, thanked Dr. Nimi Raymond Ekere for putting the programme together and for providing the necessary logistics to train the recipients, saying that the primary reason for setting up the center is to take girls and young women off the streets and train them on requisite skills so as to better their lives.
The training programme is expected to continue tomorrow, Saturday 7th July 2018.
