….. Solicit Government, Local and International Donors’ Support
It was a moment of celebration galore and encomium as Gracious Foundation, a Non-governmental Organization (NGO), distributed free sanitary pads to 96 teenage girls from Ndi Uduma Awoke Community, in Ohafia Local Government, Abia State.
The event which took place in Odum Hall, also witnessed workshop/sensitization lectures by health professionals on different areas, ranging from; menstruation, menstrual cycle, menstrual hygiene and everything a growing and maturing girl should know concerning her developing body. In addition, the participants were also exposed to the dangers inherent in unprotected sex and the need to maintain sexual purity as growing up girls.
The seminar also harped on the consequences of engaging in early sexual intimacy with the opposite stressing that such unwholesome practices could lead to unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV/AIDS, amongst others.
The programme which lasted for about 3 hours provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions on area of personal concerns and doubts and answers and clarifications were provided by the health facilitators.
Furthermore, the exercise witnessed a ministration by the Regional Pastor of Living Word Ministries, Pastor Elisha Aguiyi who in the cause of his spirit filled impartation led many of these girls to Christ.
While speaking to journalists, Miss Amarachi Smart Ukonu,the Founder of the Gracious Foundation and the lead organizer of the Pad a Girl Child Outreach reeled out the vision/mission of the Foundation to include: reaching out to vulnerable children and the youth in rural and semi-urban areas with the Gospel of Christ, health awareness and needs, educational empowerment, food provision, poverty alleviation, skill acquisition.
Explaining further, the Founder, revealed that an extensive- random research conducted by her team and other concern Organizations showed that about 80 percent of adolescent girls in rural and semi-urban areas use rags and tissue papers during menstruation, due to high cost of sanitary pads and lack of awareness of their health implication. According to Miss Ukonu, this finding is to say the least most pathetic and unaccepted in this age.
She therefore, use the occasion to solicit support and partnership from Local and International Donor Agencies, Government MDAs, at Local, State and Federal levels and other public-spirited Individuals and Organizations. She also made a special financial and technical appeal to National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), Ministry of Women Affairs, UNICEF and fhi 360.
On her future expectations for the Organization, the Founder of Gracious Foundation told the journalists that paramount in her mind is the desire to develop programme that will carter for the health needs of the aged and the less privilege in the society. she equally hinted that in collaboration with foreign partners, the Organization intends to expand her activities and operations beyond the shores of Nigeria.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Miracle Agwu Ochu expressed gratitude to the Organization for the gift and exposure, saying that indeed the seminar was an eye opener.
Also, another beneficiary, Miss Chioma Wellix Anyaorie was full of appreciation to the Founder for her kindness and concern for the girl child.
Joy Olaka Awa one of the girls that participated in the Outreach, also expressed her unreserved joy as she lauded the effort of the Founder and her team for the sensitization and exposure.
The Founder, Miss Ukonu commended Pastor Sunny Isador, Pastor Ikpo Ulu, Mr. Smart Ukonu, Arch. Ochea Ikpa and many others too numerous to mention here, who made financial, moral and technical support towards the success of the maiden edition of the project. Also worthy of appreciation are our Media Partners-SoundPix Media Limited, Abuja and the Fourth Estate of the realm for providing robust media coverage and publicity.
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