JASPI Health and Gender Development Initiative, on Thursday, December 18, distributed start-up kits to dozens of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Makurdi, Benue State capital, after training them in three different skills. The distribution was carried out at the Makurdi International Market IDPs camp.
Mr Matthew Hemba, Programme Manager of JASPI, said the training was conducted in collaboration with the Benue Rural Water and Sanitation Authority (BERWASA) and with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Thirty-five adolescent boys and girls from the Makurdi International Market IDPs camp benefited from the programme.
The 35 were trained in barbing, manicure, and make-up, and were presented with empowerment kits by Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, Chief Field Office, UNICEF Enugu Office, who was assisted by the Commissioner, Women Affairs and Social Development, Makurdi, Mrs Theresa Odache Ikwue. JASPI has also provided a Safe Space for children of IDPs.
According to Mr Hemba, the 35 were also taken through sessions on mental health and psychosocial support activities and peer-to-peer sessions with a view to building social assets.
Mrs Chiluwe congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to make the best use of their kits to improve their economic well-being.
UNICEF Child Protection Specialist at the Enugu Field Office, Mr Victor Atuchukwu, in his remarks, applauded the efforts of JASPI, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and BERWASA for providing the necessary support for child protection in Benue State.
According to Mr Atuchukwu, the establishment of Safe Space will help children access confidential child protection services across the 13 IDP camps in Guma, Makurdi, and Gwer West Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State.
He explained that the skills-acquisition initiative is intended to boost the resilience of adolescents and girls affected by the crisis.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Aondoakura Akaa Jeremiah (Barbing), Shagba Wueseter Destiny (Manicure), and Christable Iorlumun (manicure), were thankful. They expressed their appreciation to the trainers and donors for equipping them with skills and kits to earn a living.
Kits distributed include complete sets of Barbing tools, make-up, and manicure to the beneficiaries. There was also the signing of a pledge on the Child Protection Wall by various heads of government agencies present.
The exercise will be replicated in the 13 IDP camps in Makurdi, Guma, and Gwer West LGAs.
