Pulse.ng : Sightsavers empowers 15 special adolescent girls with starter packs in Kaduna

By Aisha Gambo

Sightsavers in collaboration with Spectrum Markets on Monday, empowered 15 adolescent girls living with disability, who underwent four months skills acquisition training, with starter packs in Kaduna State.

The training, which was conducted at the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) ,Kaduna State Office was supported by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the State Ministry of Health.

While speaking, Dr Selben Penzin, the Senior Programme Manager, Eye health, Sightsavers, said the programme was aimed at providing inclusive education for young girls so that they can be self-reliant and not a liability.

She explained that the teenage girls were trained on various skills like baking,soap and candle making, knitting and fashion design with the permission of their parents or caregivers.

Penzin urged the participants’ parents to support and encourage their wards to keep practising with their starter kits so as to perfect their chosen skills and establish themselves.

The Director-General of ITF, Mr Joseph Ari, said the organisation has a tracking and follow up mechanism to track the performances of the trainees while ensuring proper mentoring.

Represented by the Assistant Director of training, Kaduna Area Office, Daniel Jamgbadi, the D-G said it was a tough decision to train underage but it was worthy as participants showed seriousness.

He urged parents of the beneficiaries not to sell the starter packs they received, saying that it was given to the girls to ensure sustainability.

Earlier, the Area Manager, ITF Kaduna, urged the beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity with determination and optimism while making meaningful contributions to the economy and society at large.

Represented by Hajiya Binta Imam,the area manager said the success story of the young girls served as a testament to the transformative power of education and vocational training.

Similarly, Dr Aisha Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Health said the programme was a life-changing experience for the teenage girls, impacting positively to their lives.

She urged the participants to step down the training to their friends and younger ones as well as give back to their communities.

“I commend your teachers for their dedication and your parents for letting you come to learn as some parents may prefer to send you hawking,”she said.

Meanwhile, the participants expressed their appreciation to the organizers and sponsors of the empowerment training, saying it had changed their lives positively.

Aisha Sulaima, who learnt knitting said she could now make knitted Cardigan,head warmers and socks.

Another participant, Beatrice Davis, who learnt baking said she had benefited a lot from the training, promising to use her starter packs effectively to continue baking.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the starter packs like oven,mixer, sewing machines and wool, among others, were handed to the participants while parents and caregivers supported them.