Eighty-five (85) female internally displaced persons (IDPs) in 3 batches since July with the latest set of 28 women on Saturday, 22 August 2020 receiving funding for their micro businesses at Sesor Empowerment Foundation (Sesor)’s IDP Support Centre in Lagos.
Since 2016, Sesor has partnered with the Grooming Centre to provide livelihood support to displaced women by providing skills training and funds ranging from between N20,000 to N60,000.
“In 2020, our goal is to empower and support 145 IDP women in Lagos and Benue states with business skills training and micro funds. So far, we have paid out to eighty-five (85) and still have sixty (60) more women to empower.”
Says Eunice Kunat, the NGO’s Programme Officer.
While thanking the Grooming Centre for their continued support in spite of the economic effects of the COVID -19 pandemic on businesses, Ms. Kunat noted that their success story is enriched by the sustenance from their esteemed donors and strategic partners, notably – The Grooming Centre.
“Our experience over the years working with IDPs have shown that they are greatly underserved especially those in Lagos and Benue; their challenges experiences have worsened during the COVID -19 crisis, and we are pleased that we can continue to support their livelihoods through thick and thin. 199 women in Lagos and Maiduguri have benefited from our Livelihood Support Programme (LSP) since it kicked off in 2016 – next stop, Benue!” She said.
According to Grooming Centre’s Manager, Special Projects, Mr Chikezie Egbulefu, “The socio-economic effect of our partnership with Sesor cannot be measured in monetary terms but rather by the impact on the livelihoods and welfare of the women and their families. Many of them who receive the support report being able to send their children to school and to access better healthcare for themselves and their families because of their improved livelihoods from the support they have received.”
Memunat Mohamed, a vegetable seller and first-time beneficiary of Sesor’s LSP said: “I have learnt about saving and will use it [the knowledge] in my business so I can add other food items to sell. Up Sesor! Up Grooming!!” before posing for a group photograph with other beneficiaries at Sesor’s IDP Support Centre in Lagos.
Since the inception of Sesor Livelihood Support Programme (LSP) in 2016, 199 women have received funds for their livelihoods with support from Grooming Centre and other corporate partners.
Sesor is poised to continue working to improve the living standards of IDPs across Nigeria through its relief, rehabilitation and advocacy programmes.
Donate to:
SESOR EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION,
GTB. 0170089727
CONTACTS:
Sesor Empowerment Foundation:
Merrilyn Okeleke
+234 909 426 3601
info@sesorafrica.org
Grooming Centre:
Nnaemeka Nwachukwu
+234 815 098 9316 nnwachukwu@groomingcentre.org
