NGO empowers vulnerable children, others in 13 rural communities

Strengthening Mechanism for Improving Livelihood and household empowerment (SMILE-Project), has improved livelihood of vulnerable children and rural dwellers in thirteen communities within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The group in collaboration with Women Friendly Initiative (WFI) disclosed this at the close-up of its activities in Kuje and dissemination meeting with some donor agencies and stakeholders, recently.
Speaking at the occasion, chairman Kuje Area Council, Alhaji Abudullahi Galadima represented by the vice chairman Hon. Ismaila Duda said the care givers and vulnerable children in Kuje communities have benefited from the SMILE project during the period of their activities from 2013 – 2018.
He said it was saddening that the SMILE project ended but, he said the area council on its part through the education and social development department will continue to provide the necessary support to reduce the plights of vulnerable children in the society.
The chairman said the council was looking forward to collaborate with donor agencies and stakeholders because government cannot do it alone.
Also, the orphanage and vulnerable children (OVC) desk officer/ measurement and education Kuje, Emmanuel Musa Magaji, said that Kuje has benefitted much from SMILE project.
He added that training of caregivers in homes on children management/ parental skill, record keeping, child protection policy, shelter, nutrition and food, security, health, education and his services were the benefits that the council recorded from the SMILE Project.
On his part, the Executive Director, Women Friendly Initiative (WFI), Dr. Francis Eremutha, represented by the Programme Manager-WFI, Dr. Veronica Chizoba Gabriel said that, WFI entered into a contractual agreement with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in 2016 to implement the SMILE Project in eight (8) communities in Kuje Area Council.
The communities he listed were Kuje central, Pasali, Chibiri, Kiyi, Chukuku, Dafara, Gaube and Pegi.
WFI said the agreement was renewed in 2017 to further include 5 additional communities of Jeida, Guda-aba, Kuchiako, Bamishi and Godoji.
She said WFI through the close supervision of 8 project, staff have identified and engaged 40 community volunteers spread over 13 communities of implementation of the Smile project.