—-Pushes women’s, men’s economic empowerment

By Dayo Johnson Akure

The Jummy i Care Foundation has invested over N200 million to train and empower 600 women and Persons With Disabilities PWD, under its skills acquisition programme.

Founder of the foundation, Chief Mrs. Jumoke Abegunde, said this during the empowerment programme in Akure, Ondo State.

Abegunde said the initiative was born out of her passion for humanitarian service. According to her, giving cash alone was not sustainable, which led her to focus on skills training that promotes self-reliance.

“It’s born out of the spirit of humanity. All my life I’ve been a giver. But I realised that giving alone is not enough because people keep coming back.

” That’s why I decided to go into training, so beneficiaries can stand on their own,” she said.

The 600 beneficiaries are currently undergoing training in lip gloss and perfume production, herbal oil, bead and bag making, ICT, makeup, shoe-making, pastries, and crafts.

The foundation has also procured equipment for the beneficiaries to start their businesses immediately after training.

“We have spent well over N200 million on this training. It’s a lot of money, but it’s worth it,” Abegunde noted.

She explained that while the current programme began last year, the foundation has spent the last nine years intervening in education, health, and livelihood support. Though it does not run an orphanage, the foundation supports children in orphanages and has previously trained people in sewing and other trades.

Abegunde added that her husband single-handedly funded the NGO for eight years. This year, Make Me Elegant Beauty Foundation and House of Destiny Foundation joined as partners. Letters have also been sent to other agencies for support.

Beneficiaries were selected through an open online registration that attracted applicants from across Ondo State and beyond, including Edo State. While the foundation runs programmes for both men and women, this phase focuses on women.

The training is holding in Akure South due to its central location, but participants were drawn from Akoko and other parts of the state.

Under the ‘Women on Wheels’ scheme, some beneficiaries will also receive tricycles to support their livelihoods. The tricycles are intended as business tools for economic independence, not just transportation.

Abegunde dismissed claims that the programme was politically motivated.

“No. This is my dream. This is my passion. It has nothing to do with politics. I’m not contesting. I kept quiet about the foundation because I didn’t want people to misinterpret it due to my husband’s political involvement,” she said.

Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude.

Alejo Oyindamola, a pedicure and manicure trainee, said the training and equipment would help her earn a living.

Make-up artist Odeyemi Victoria thanked the foundation for teaching skills instead of handouts.

Mrs. Ilesanmi Bose, a PWD beneficiary, said she had already started receiving customers and earning from the skills acquired. She prayed for the foundation’s growth.

Well-wishers also commended the initiative, expressing hope that it would expand to reach more people.