Foundation empowered FCT marginalised girls in edu, skills

A foundation, Tabitha Cumi, showcased to the world, the achievements in girls’ education in marginalised communities in the Federal Capital Territories (FCT), Abuja, as some of the girls bagged degrees in different fields in the University and college of education. Speaking at the event in preparation for the 2020 International Women Day (IWD), organised by […]

A foundation, Tabitha Cumi, showcased to the world, the achievements in girls’ education in marginalised communities in the Federal Capital Territories (FCT), Abuja, as some of the girls bagged degrees in different fields in the University and college of education.

Speaking at the event in preparation for the 2020 International Women Day (IWD), organised by the foundation, the executive director, Tabitha Cumi, Mrs Tayo Erinle, said over the years, they have been working tirelessly to give women and girls a new lease of life by raising their standard of living from adverse circumstances through education and empowerment.

She said one of the reasons why girls do not remain in schools for completion of their education is poverty, adding that majority of the girls want to go to school,in the same manner that some parents want their children to go to school, but they cannot afford it.

Mrs Erinle said for sustainability in the girls’ education, the foundation established “the girls club” which they started with 20 girls in one community, but it has now grown into over 400 direct beneficiaries in the FCT.

“With this, we know we had a commitment because we saw that there was a gap that needed to be addressed and that was why we started working with them on our own, and later gained the support of Australia Aid, UK Aid and others.”

Among the graduates sponsored through the foundation are a set of twin, Hassan and Hussaina, who bagged a degree in History and Mass Communication respectively, and one NCE graduate, while there are 26 students in different higher institutions across the country, and 78 others awaiting admission.

Mrs Erinle said the foundation is happy and proud of Hassana and Hussaina who graduated from university with the support of the foundation, and call for more funds and collaboration with government and non-governmental organisations so as to reach more girls.

On their part, the beneficiaries expressed deep happiness to the foundation for empowering them with skills and capital, and also changing their narratives to become educated, which they said would not have been possible without the intervention received from the foundation.

Hassana and Hussaina said their dream of becoming graduates had been realised with the foundation, and call on other NGOs to emulate TCF to impact on the lives of the marginalised girls, adding that they would also embark on the activities of assisting the less privileged girls in their community.

“Our dream has been actualised by the TCF and we have no words to say thank you. Without this foundation, we would have been married out since because our father cannot afford to sponsor our education. We are very excited and we will go and make impact in our community”, the twins said.