In continuation of its mandate to support orphans and vulnerable members of society, Rosita Unique Care Foundation (RUCF), a non-governmental organization has handed over start-up kits to 35 trained beneficiaries in Imo State. The handover ceremony held in Akabo in Ikeduru Local Government Area, Imo State.
Speaking on the occasion, the Executive Director, Rosita Unique Care Foundation, Associate Professor Ngozi Isiozor said the NGO was implementing the Accelerated Control of HIV Epidemic and Sustainable Solution (ACCESS) project in 10 local government areas of the state.
ACCESS is a five-year project funded by the American Centre for Disease Control through the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN).
Associate Professor Isiozor said since the establishment of RUCF, it had touched lives in many local governments and as well, enjoyed the support of different partners, prominently, Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria.
She maintained that the NGO had shown care and support services to about 9,304 beneficiaries across 10 local governments of the state, through the support of Caritas Nigeria.
“We have in the past years, trained over 350 beneficiaries in different skills including hair styling, tailoring, mechanics, Almaco fixing, baking etc, paid their trainers to train them and afterwards, empower them with start-up kits.”
She announced that RUCF had helped over 510 beneficiaries to restock their goods and generate income, had re-enrolled 700 out of school pupils and registered many children for their certificate examinations and had supported both primary and secondary schools through school block granting.
“All the children under our care have birth certificate”, she added while revealing that the NGO had consistently paid hospital bills for sick beneficiaries especially children as emergency health support.
She further disclosed that the NGO had established about 70 Village Savings and Loan Associations and registered some of them as Cooperative Societies to encourage women imbibe a saving culture, among many other laudable initiatives aimed at improving the livelihood of the people.
The Executive Director promised to establish a community structure (Child Protection Committee) for orphans and vulnerable children in Umuiyi Akabo community to further strengthen stakeholders ownership, support and cooperation.
The Senior Technical Specialist, Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Caritas Nigeria, Mr. Donatus Anya explained that Caritas had through RUCF identified those who need skills and strength for business, trained and empowered them.
He announced that Caritas started operation in Nigeria in 2010 in Southeast particularly, “but today, has entered all the states in Nigeria.”
He advised beneficiaries to ensure they use the items to service their daily needs and become self reliant, even as he disclosed that Caritas had reached 30,110 beneficiaries in Imo State from 2020 to date.
On behalf of the Executive Director of CCFN, Reverend Father Uche Obodoechina, Mr. Anya thanked the traditional ruler for showing commitment to the project while charging him to lead its sustainability plan.
Handing over the empowerment items, the traditional ruler of Umuiyi, Akabo Ikeduru, HRM Eze Barrister Evans Obiukwu Njoku Nwansi (VI) encouraged the beneficiaries to gladden the hearts of their donors by putting the empowerment items to good use.
He identified humanitarian gestures as the parameter by which God will judge humanity and thanked Caritas for embarking on such human capital development.
One of the beneficiaries, Ozuzu Chukwuebuka of Umuiyi-Akabo who was gifted a butterfly sewing machine, promised to make his benefactors proud.
Another beneficiary, Ihedioha Justina expressed her gratitude to RUCF and Caritas for lifting her when she had lost all hope.
Other empowerment items were dryers, jerry canns of palm oil and groundnut oil, bags of nylon and bags of different food stuff.
A retired Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Barr Mrs Nkechi Osondu, some members of Child Protection Network and the traditional Chiefs of Umuiyi Akabo were present on the occasion.