A Non Governmental Organisation; Access First Project Incorporated has taken a their Girl child empowerment campaign themed “Gender Equity, Access and Empowerment” to rural school in Enugu State.
Kicking off the event at Girls Secondary School, Akegbe Ugwu, Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state on the 2nd March, 2022, Dr. Amaka S. Ngene, the founder of the organisation said their “goal is to motivate and inspire the girl-child for greater things.
Dr. Ngene disclosed she’s carrying out the empowerment with her consulting firm; Habics Educational Consulting Limited to serve the less privileged and under-served schools.
“We’re coming from the notion that all girls needs to have access to education, social services and anything that will give them the opportunity to be better for the society, because the age of gender discrimination I believe is far gone and our people needs to understand the import of empowering the girl-child and not retiring to their gender assigned positions. We want inspire many girls to at least, finish high school.
Speaking on their interventions, she said that her organisation over the years, has been “intervening in the areas of their fees, levies and anything that’s needed. I told the principal, do not send any child home because they can’t pay fees.
“We have been assisting the girls with their Senior School Certificate Examination fees and the Junior School Certificate exams.
“Last year, in commemoration of the international day of the girl-child, we had a programme here and gave 28 students of the school scholarship until they finish their secondary school. Our intervention is on need basis because we want to ensure that no child is left behind because her parents can’t pay her fees.”
Speaking further, Dr. Ngene said her NGO will soon commence a programme that will improve the sanitation of the girl child and commended the students for their resilience and intelligence.
She said their goal in the new sanitation project is to construct 100 toilets in public rural schools across the country.
She also said that the welfare of the teachers aren’t left out because there are efforts being made to that effect.
Chibuike Sophia, one of the students that spoke on behalf of others, thanked Dr. Ngene and her NGO for all they have been doing for their school in the past 3 years and assured her that all her “investments” on them won’t be in vain.
During the event, all the students were given free sanitary pads and body deodorants to aid their personal hygiene.
