A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Helen Iwendi Foundation, has offered food items, medications, and medical check-ups to over 180 vulnerable women in Bariga, Lagos.
They included expectant mothers, single mothers, widows, divorcees and the aged.
At the event held at the weekend at the premises of the Baale of the Ilaje Community/Oba-elect of Bariga, High Chief Kayode Aiyetiwa, the founder of the foundation, Ezinwa Damisa, said the event, which was their first, was aimed at empowering the vulnerable, disadvantaged and economically relegated women.
“With more funding and support, we hope to go beyond the provision of food items, medications and motivational talks to empowering them through regular skills acquisition programs that will guarantee income generation, transform them into entrepreneurs and provide the needed economic leverage that will enable them to cater to themselves,” she said. Ezinwa also said Bariga was chosen because she had spent her early years in the area, adding that their next venue is Gbagada, where she also grew up.
He stated that the Helen Iwendi Foundation was founded in honor of her late grandmother, a woman’s rights advocate and that their objective is to preserve her legacy.
The foundation’s Program Manager, Mr. Adewale Abdul, said because of the challenges the less privileged women face, they hoped to assist them.
Abdul explained that the foundation is concerned with women’s health because “quite a number of them cannot afford proper medicare and are forced to patronize roadside herb sellers and take uncensored medications, leading to complications that could destroy some vital organs in their system.
“So, this program is, particularly, focused on checking their health status, ascertaining their sugar level and blood pressures which will be followed with the supply of basic medications and strong medical advice on what to be done next by the beneficiary,” she said.
A motivational speaker on catering and hotel management,, Afusat Ibrahim, encouraged them to be self-motivated.
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She said: “A major issue in the life of some of you and other women are the men in your lives. Some of these men give you the necessary support, while some of these men are the very source of your troubles. I would advise you, therefore, to keep your minds away from troubling men and be engaged in activities that would empower you economically and better your life with or without your man.”
High Chief Aiyetiwa praised the foundation for bringing the program to his domain and for the turnout.
Head of the Medical team, Alhaja Fatimo Abdulfatah, stated that over 150 of the women were attended to. “We took time to properly educate them on how to maintain a good health status through their doctors and right medications,” she affirmed.
Two beneficiaries, Madam Ifeju Olowo and Oluwayomi Farodoye thanked the foundation for the gesture and that it would go a long way to assist their upkeep
