NGO empowers over 1000 Bauchi women with Sewing, Grinding Machines
Samuel Luka, Bauchi
A Non Governmental Organization based in Bauchi state, Al-Muhibba foundation has commenced the distribution of Sewing and grinding machines to 1,451 women in the state to enable them become self reliant.
Speaking during the flagging-off ceremony of the distribution exercise on Sunday, the First Lady of Bauchi state, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed urged the beneficiaries to use the equipments to support their household to attain economic empowerment.
According to the wife of the Governor, the women were drawn from eight local government areas of the state and were selected after passing series of tests to prepare them for the task ahead.
“You have acquired the necessary technical, social and emotional support from the training. These skills will empower you to generate income”, Hajiya Aisha Bala said.
The First Lady cautioned the beneficiaries of the gesture against selling off the items, adding that the world bank will be conducting an evaluation on their progress.
Our Corresspondent gathered that the distribution was implemented with the support of the Pro-Health International-world Bank PHI- WB) and USAID.
in his remarks, the state team lead, Dr Asusuchi Okey Osuji, pointed out that the distribution of the empowerment packages was part of the Household Economic Strengthening component of the integrated Child Health Social Services Award-4(ICHSSA4) project.
He explained that the project is implemented by Al-Muhibba Foundation which has trained 820 women in fashion design, 383 women in dry grinding and 248 in wet grinding of different foods across 8 LGAs of Bauchi state.
Okey Osuji further said that the PHI-ICHSSA4 Project Goal is aimed at improving the wellbeing and living standard of orphans and vulnerable children and their care givers.
He said that the gesture was also aimed at mitigating the impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) on vulnerable children and their households.
He assured that the ICHSSA4 project will continue to support the state to identify all children living and affected by HIV/AIDS and ensure services are provided to mitigate the impact on them.
