In a bid to help improve the standard of living of women and girls, especially those in rural areas across Lagos, Nigeria, Karis and Eloes Hand of Hope Foundation has committed to empowering 5,000 women. The project is intended to reduce the harsh economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, while also decreasing the migration of rural women to urban areas, by empowering them with business and life skills that will elevate them from extreme poverty and encourage their migration back to their local communities.
Funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation to the tune of $300,000, the project themed Catalyst for Change 2.0, will focus on women and girls’ communities such as Surulere, Alausa/Agidingbi, Ijora, Agege, and Onigbongbo in Lagos State for 10 months starting which starting from October 4, 2021.
Founder Karis & Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation, Bukola Bamiduro, speaking at a media parley in Lagos, stressed the importance of the project in ensuring the empowerment of underserved women and youth in Nigeria.
Bukola explained that the programme plan will adopt two training models, which include hands-on training classes (such as baking, bag making, shoemaking, hairstyling, makeup artistry, tie & dye design, and production of household cleaning items) and business classes, which will provide training on running a successful business; personal and product branding; accounting; bookkeeping and finance management; recruiting customers; leveraging social media; accessing loans and grants; gender-based violence and recycling.
Bamiduro said: “We are proud to continue this impactful programme and make a meaningful contribution to the lives of more women and girls in the country. We extend our gratitude to our sponsor, who has remained steadfast in its commitment to this project.”
She noted that the selection is done from the communities as they better understand and know the women.
Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), Jerome Oyebanji, representing Director, Public Affairs, and Communications, NBC, Ekuma Eze, noted that poverty alleviation and women empowerment are key concerns to the firm.
“We are delighted to continue what has been a fruitful partnership with Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation. Poverty alleviation and women and youth empowerment remain key priorities for the firm in Nigeria. The Catalyst for Change programme was developed to ensure that these key areas are addressed in the communities we call home and we are truly proud of the results achieved so far.”
President, The Coca-Cola Foundation, Saadia Madsbjerg, said, “Empowering women to thrive is a global commitment for us. Our ultimate goal is to lift women out of poverty and into lives of self-sufficiency by focusing on those community programs offering education, skills training, financial literacy, and mentoring, such as the Catalyst for Change 2.0 programme.”
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