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| Group picture of graduating students for GLA |
A community based life Enhancement Non-Governmental Organisation with focus on the girl child and young mothers, known as Girls Leading Africa has once again trained over 18 young girls between the ages of 13 and 25 on different life enhancement skills.
The girls which were drawn from indigent homes in Akpap Okoyong, Ikoneto and nearby communities were trained in various economic empowerment skills such Catering, Fashion Designing Computer Appreciation etc for a period of one year and were empowered with some of start-up kits such as sewing machines/kits, bags of baking flour/ baking ingredients etc.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of Girls Leading Africa, Giftie Umo who was represented by Uduak Ekong, admonished the graduating students to remain focus, adding that the journey ahead is better and not free of challenges, even as she prayed they make better choices for a better and brighter future.
Mr. Richard Ballantine, a member of the Board of Trustees of GLA, said the Organisation whose vision is to see that every young girl/woman in rural communities are empowered to a point where they can make decisions and contribute to the decision making process of their communities and live life independently and add value to their immediate environment started three years ago and has over the years trained close to 50 girls and young mothers in different vocational skills who are currently impacting the world with skills learnt from GLA adding that what GLA does is to set the girls on a pathway towards the journey to be self dependent using the trainings gotten from from GLA.
The board member who is also a mentor to several young entrepreneurs in Cross River state informed that, the Organisation has a robust strategy for a continuous monitoring and mentoring of the graduance in their respective businesses and endeavours. Ballantine added that Girls have to be seen, heard and felt not to only be seen. He further appealed to both corporate bodies, government and individuals to support GLA in giving the African girl child a leap to a brighter .
On his part, the Youth leader of host community,, Akpap Okoyong, Andong ItokOkon said the entire community are happy with what GLA is doing with the young girls as they have seen changes in the life of young girls in the community while advising young ladies to submit themselves and learn more for the betterment of their lives and future.
A parent of one of the graduating students, Ekaete Nsa Ekpenyong, expressed gratitude to GLA for transforming her daughter who she said has started making clothes. Mrs Ekpenyong who spoke in Efik language said, “I am very delighted to be a part of this event, this school has greatly transformed my daughter, she has been a very useful to the family now, for instance she made this dress I am putting on now, I want to thank GLA and encourage them to continue with the good works and God will bless them.”
Speaking with one of the graduands of last year, Ms Iquo Orok Ekpenyong who currently works with GLA as an intern, she said her self esteem has improved since she came in contact with GLA and also she can now explore the world of computer which has expanded her horizon.
The event which witnessed award of certificate and presentation of start-up kits to some of the best graduating students in the three basic schools of fashion design, catering and computer science also featured traditional display from a foremost traditional dance group from the community.
GlA seeks to accelerate the development of communities by providing girls and young mothers access to education and equiping them with vocational and interpersonal skills to take responsibility of their own lives and community.
The mission is to equip girls with skills and educational support necessary for personal growth and community development through After-school and vocational training programs.
Pictures of the event:
