By Hajara Aliyu
As part of its efforts to encourage communities participate actively in the promotion of their well being, African Community and Environmental Health Initiative (ACE-HI), a local NGO in Bauchi State has empowered 240 girls and youths on different marketable trades in their communities.
The organization with support from USAID through Creative International has enrolled over 1,300 Out of School Children in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi state, out of whom about 240 girls and youths were empowered with livelihood skills.
The executive director of the Organization, Mr. John Abu while interacting with local communities on the sustainability strategies of the exercise, said his organization was determined to empower youths and girls to enable them finance their education.
Mr. Abu who said poverty was part of the major issues preventing parents from sending their children to school, urged relevant stakeholders to invest in the lives of young people to help stymie educational deficit in the state.
The organization has also mainstreamed over 500 learners to junior secondary schools who benefited from the Non-formal classes the previous year. ACE-HI also provided sanitary pads to adolescent girls to help them stay clean and concentrate during class activities.
The organization also reinvigorated community members to mobilize resources to support their wards.
The Monitoring officer of the Organization Miss Deborah Solomon advised the community members to take ownership of the project, saying it will enable them address their educational challenges even after the grant period. Deborah made the appeal while delivering scholastic materials such as textbooks, chalkboards, rulers among others, provided by the Organization.
A community member identified as Danazumi Felfelu thanked ACE-HI for its continued supports and urged the communities to intensify their efforts in supporting their children bag education.
He also called on the State and Federal Governments to increase budgetary provisions for the education sector.
