Foundation empowers Abuja women, youth with vocational tools

By Stanley Onyekwere

As part of activities to mark 2019 International Youth Day celebration in Abuja, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), Helpline Foundation for the Needy, has empowered no fewer than 85 vulnerable women and youths with working tools for various vocational endeavours.
In particular, some of the items distributed include sewing machines, tools box for both mechanics and electricians, grinding machines among others.
The foundation also used the occasion to dole out food items to widows drawn from selected clusters across the six area councils of the territory to mark the El-Kabir celebration.
Speaking during the occasion, the President and Founder of the Foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, revealed that the programme was organised in partnership with Right Care Empowerment Foundation and Make a Difference for the Needy Foundation.
She disclosed that that the working tools were provided by FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
She stressed the need for government at all levels and relevant organisations to go beyond funfairs that characterized every festivities and used such occasions to empower the vulnerable in the society, just as she identified youth empowerment as the only antidote to crime reduction.
“It has been our tradition for over 17 years to seize every opportunity and occasion to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged especially women and youth.
“We have been consistent in assisting the vulnerable and this year International Youth Day, we decided to empower some youths in various skills to grow their business.
“It has been our philosophy and our slogan that “nobody is too poor to give and nothing is too small to give”. In that token, we approach our partners to put something together for our women and youths for this year International Youth Day.
“We should move beyond funfair to empowerment of the vulnerable in the society. And I think it is the right way to go,” Ahmadu said.
In his remarks, Head of News of Independent Television (ITV), Abuja station, Comrade Ikharo Attah, tasked the beneficiaries to judiciously put the working tools to effective use, warning that it is ungodly not to make maximum use of such items.
While commending the foundation for its consistency in assisting the less privileged in the society, he also drew biblical references on the need to continue in the path weakness and generosity.
One of the beneficiaries, who spoke to our correspondent, Mr. Emmanuel Ekele, expressed gratitude for the kind gesture, assuring that his working tools will aid him in no small measure to improve on his mechanic skill.