Teen Mothers' Empowerment Project (TeenMEP} Abia

The empowerment interventions implemented by the Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation  had significant and measurable impacts on the lives of 25 teenage mother, including the families and immediate communities. The programme enhanved their exposure to opportunities and improved their economic stability,  self-reliance, and social wellbeing.

Impacts:

• The scope of the empowerment spread from Abia to Anambra and Lagos states. The beneficiaries acquired practical tailoring skills that enabled them to engage in productive self-employment ventures.
• Knitting machines were provided to removed the major barrier to starting their businesses, allowing them to begin earning income immediately after training.
• The training improved their financial independence, reducing reliance on charity or harmful coping mechanisms.
• The beneficiaries gained renewed confidence and dignity, seeing themselves as skilled entrepreneurs rather than dependents.
• Their income has contributed to better care for their children, including feeding, clothing, and basic health needs.
• The empowerment has positioned them as positive role models within their communities, encouraging other young girls to embrace skills acquisition.

Beyond vocational skills acquired, participants received some entrepreneurial training and were enrolled into exhibition for the purpose of marketing their products and connection with consuemers and other business

The three-month Crochet and Knitting Vocational Skills Training, for 20 women and girls, sponsored by the Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation (AAAF) for the Onitsha Community is being implemented in collaboration with the Onitsha Advancement Foundation (OnAF). The twin-objectives of the training is to combat poverty and unify households on gainful economic activities in the southeast. Similarly, the knitting and crocheting process is also expected to promote therapeutic and mental health benefits to women and girls who are experiencing depressions due to depression resulting from shaming, stigmatization and ostracisation on account of gender-based violence.

The second week of the programme has been utilized to build practical skills on the knitting of head-warmer with finishing techniques to provide professional and marketable enhancements. Early and repeated pregnancy remains a significant public health issue in Nigeria and the AAAF will continue to adopt comprehensive interventions to improve community and households access to skills and empowerment for women and girls to bond, particularly, in the southeast.