More than 100 ex-sex workers and former drug addicts selected in Misau local government area of Bauchi State have benefited from a skills acquisition programme and distribution of business starter packs by Better Life Restoration Initiative (BERI).
The beneficiaries who were picked from different joints in Misau are young adolescent girls whose education was truncated and turned to drug abuse and commercial sex work as a means of livelihood.
One of the beneficiaries who speak on condition of anonymity said that the organisation has changed her life.
“I know what (drugs) I was drinking and smoking, but thank God, I have turned a new leaf. I am now trained, empowered and enlightened to be my own business manager.
“I wish to settle down as a woman but the challenge of stigma is still there. I never believed I could be among the beneficiaries of this training but I thank BERI for the opportunity,” she said
The BERI project Manager, Nkem Ogbonna, explained that the training was part of the Gender Equality Fund Project, which targets adolescent girls for means of livelihood and life skills.
According to him, the project targeted Misau and Shira local government areas, and 200 young women were selected last August for the training.
“We categorised them into different training sections based on their skills. Some of them were trained in shoemaking, throwing pillows, beads, food vendors, and bag making. What we did was to teach them literacy and numeracy for them to know how businesses are effectively managed.
“We facilitated their financial literacy and bank opening process. Some of them were trained on Point of Sales business and machine and capital fund was given.
“Our joy is seeing them out of their former status and now ready to be their own employer and contribute to the nation’s economy,” he said.
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