Sesor, in collaboration with the Grooming Centre, has launched the first phase of its livelihood support funds disbursement programme, commencing with a pre-disbursement training event named the ‘Advanced Business & Financial Literacy Training Programme.’ The event took place at Sesor Space in Lagos and was designed for 200 displaced women.
The training, conducted in English, Pidgin English, and Hausa, aims to equip women displaced from their homes, aged between 24 and 70, with essential skills to navigate the challenging micro-business landscape. It also reinforces fundamental principles of financial literacy and livelihood management. In this initial phase, 78 women who have consistently shown progress in their livelihood activities, as monitored by Sesor over recent months, will receive funds ranging from N40,000 to N130,000. An additional 122 women are set to receive livelihood support funds later this year after fulfilling specific documentation requirements, including obtaining their National Identity Numbers.
Mrs. Merit Emmanuel, Sesor’s Head of Programmes, expressed gratitude to the Grooming Centre for their nine years of unwavering support. She emphasised the impact of Sesor’s livelihood support programme, which has been empowering displaced women since 2016, economically. Weekly monitoring visits ensure that women are making progress with their livelihoods and provide vital support for their families health, nutrition, and educational needs. Emmanuel emphasised the importance of additional partners supporting the educational programme for the children of these displaced families, and she looked forward to making a more significant impact in the future.
One of the training participants, Madam Hajara Abbas, who was displaced from Borno State by Boko Haram nine years ago and currently operates a foodstuff business in Ikate Lekki, expressed her happiness with Sesor’s continuous support. The training gave her valuable ideas for surviving in challenging times, such as diversifying her business, collaborative bulk purchasing with other women, and consistent saving.
Mama Fatima Ali Jidah, another participant who sells roasted groundnuts, welcomed the training, sharing her plans to form a small group with fellow groundnut sellers for bulk stock purchases. She and her business partners also expressed their intent to improve product packaging, thereby enhancing value and sales.
Participants thanked Sesor and the Grooming Centre for their consistent support and made an appeal for additional assistance to ensure their children’s education. In response to this request, Sesor has launched a ‘Back to School Campaign’ to raise funds for the education of women’s children. Donations in support of this campaign can be made to Sesor Empowerment Foundation, GTB Account 0170089727, or contact Merit at +234 903 960 8442 for more information.
Over the years, Sesor has provided essential relief services, livelihood support, wellness services, and medical services to help over 100,000 displaced families rebuild their lives.
