Girls Arise Initiative

Here's probably one of the most heartwarming and endearing stories I have been involved in. Thinking about it still gives me goose bumps. A friend of mine Chidi Arole (thank you!) sent me a link for a program organized by Yale for young Africans since she knew we at Apinke Girls Initiative, work with young girls. I originally thought what were the odds but relied on the voice within & introduced it to 2 of our girls. The application was tasking considering our girls live in  an under-resourced community, Ijegun with little to no internet access and simple information/documents needed were not readily available &/or efforts to get them frustrating at every turn. With 1 essay and 2 short answer questions, navigating the application was quite challenging. (It's complicated is all I can say). Anyway, at one point I thought this may not work but was resolute and encouraged by the determination & doggedness of one of girls especially. With a 6% acceptance ra...

At the onset of the training we had promised that the best three trainees would be awarded start-up funds to help them kick start some small scale business. The cash presentation held three days later in our office at Ijegun. Sophie Okojie came 1st, Esther Ololude 2nd and Blessing   Chukwu 3rd. While these got cash prices, others were also encouraged to make products and advertise for sale. I couldn’t make it to the event but our community volunteer, my friend and secondary schoolmate Feyikemi Job-Akinremi made the presentation on my behalf. Interestingly, the girls have started getting orders. In the words of Blessing Chukwu, “Now I don’t have to bother my parents for every little thing. Now, I have a skill with which to earn money when I get to the university. I am empowered now and I am so grateful.” Its such a joy to know that both the awardee and every other girl that participated in the training have already started to earn money from the sales of their products- ...

There is perhaps no better way to spend the holidays than to invest it in getting empowered with life skills that guarantees economic independence. No doubt, the last summer break now marks an indelible milestone in the journey, not only for members of Girls Arise Initiative but also for some of their friends in Ijegun community and its environs.  It was indeed encouraging to see some of these girls seize the opportunity of the free summer skill acquisition program to learn from our Volunteer trainers.   Rather than roam the streets aimlessly or sit at home idle and vulnerable, they chose to get empowered. It is so incredible how innovative and creative they have been. It is exciting to see them learn so fast and so passionately. Now, I see new products like auto-gele, colourful fascinators, wall-flowers etc.   The truth of the matter is that some of them are now selling and making money to support themselves and take some burden off their parents/guardian...

Within the space of 5 weeks, the girls had gained mastery in making beads, fascinators, caps, flower-verse, foot-mats, wristbands, brooch and much more. They wouldn’t let me be- they needed money to make products towards their graduation ceremony. And so we had to make fund available. It was small money but it was so amazing to see how well they utilized it. The tables were filled with beautiful items. The graduation ceremony was splendid. It held during our monthly mentoring session and had in attendance over 200 youths and 20 adults. Some of the widows also came to felicitate with their graduating daughters. Although some of the girls would not pull through because they didn’t meet up with our criteria, 16 out of the 22 finally graduated on 13th July and were all awarded certificates. The best three also got start up funds to begin their own businesses. Of course we sold some of the items at the event. But we still have many more to sell and we need buyers. Proceeds...