Helen Iwendi Foundation Fetes 180 Indigent Bariga Women

 

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos 

The Helen Iwendi Foundation on Saturday distributed various food items, medications, carried out medical check-ups and gave motivational talks to over 180 vulnerable women, including; pregnant women, single mothers, widows, divorcees and the aged in the Bariga area of Lagos.

The event which took place at the compound of High Chief Kayode Aiyetiwa, the Baale of the Ilaje Community and the Oba elect of Bariga, drew a large number of the targeted group of Women who were fully feted with the essential items and medical services provided by the Foundation.

Speaking about the programme, Ezinwa Damisa, the founder of the foundation, revealed that  the event is their first outreach after registration with the Corporate Affairs, saying, "after obtaining all the necessary documentations and certificates this year, this is our first outreach, it is organised with the understanding that quite a number of Women are vulnerable, disadvantaged and economically relegated to the background unlike their male counterparts, so this programme is organised to create space for women to be economically empowered.

"With more funding and supports we hope to go beyond the provision of food items, medications and motivational talks to empowering them through a regular skills acquisition programme that will guarantee income generation, transform them into entrepreneurs and provide the needed economic leverage that will enable them cater to themselves." She stressed.

Ezinwa also informed that the choice of Bariga for the Foundation to kick-start its outreach is more like paying back to the place where she had her early years, hoping to move to the Gbagada area where she also lived growing, stating that the Helen Iwendi Foundation was founded in honour of her  grandmother who was a Women rights advocate during her life time and it is only good for her to use the Foundation to preserve her legacy.

In his submission, Mr. Adewale Abdul, the Programme Manager for the Foundation, said the outreach was set out to impact pregnant women, single mothers widows and the aged ones in the Bariga area because of the high level of challenges they seem to face, suffering neglect, vulnerable and lacking basic care. 

Abdul harps that another important area the Foundation is concerned is the state of their health, saying, "quite a number of them cannot afford proper medicare and are forced to patronise roadside herb sellers and taking uncensored medications, leading to complications that can destroy some vital organs in their system. So this programme is particularly focused on checking their health status, ascertain their sugar level and blood pressures which will be followed with the supply of basic medications and strong medical advise on what to be done next by the beneficiary, communicated in English, Yoruba, pidgin and Igbo, basically in the language they understand."

Afusat Ibrahim, Head of Protocol and Logistics, while motivating the women, encouraged them to be self motivated, not allowing a second party or third party to determine their moods at any particular time. 

Afusat 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 succour and 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 was full of praises for the the Helen Iwendi Foundation who were magnanimous enough to bring the women empowerment programme to Bariga and particularly to his palace, stating that he ensured a robust mobilisation was put in place to have the large turnout of beneficiaries at the event, praying that the next one to be organised would meet everyone hale and hearty.

Alhaja Fatimo Abdulfatah, head of the Medical team stated that over over 150 of the Women have being tested by their team and the general medical challenge discovered is high blood and sugar level, which she associated to economic depression, poor health standards and plain complacency, she however said, "we took time according to the purpose of this programme to properly educate them on how to maintain a good health status through their doctors and right medications."

Madams Ifeju Olowo and Oluwayomi Farodoye are both participants in the events who stated that they are overwhelmed with joy on the food and medical items given them by the organisers, revealing how hard it has being lately for them to make ends meet, but hope has been rekindled through the event, praying for God's sufficient Grace to abound towards the givers and replenishment of every gift given.