NGO trains 70 survivors SGBV on village savings loan associations skills in Bauchi
NGO trains 70 survivors SGBV on village savings loan associations skills in Bauchi
By Ahmed Ahmed
Dambam (Bauchi ) Feb, 24,2021 (NAN) A Non Governmental Organizations NGO Attah Sister Helping Hands Foundation (ASHHF) has trained 70 women survivors of Sexual Gender based violence SGBV on Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) skills in Bauchi state.
Mr Kingsley Yalling, The Programme Manager of the Foundation while speaking at the closing ceremony on Wednesday in Dambam, said the training was to improve their basic business and marketing skills.
He said of the 70 women survivors of SGBV, 35 were picked from Dambam and Gamawa local government areas and are empowered with Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) skills.
“Equipping survivors of SGBV with economic empowerment skills through VSLA programs yields positive results
“Such as; diminishing poverty and exploitation, access to prescribed medicine, ensuring access to education for their offspring improving nutrition and impacts culture by changing the mind-sets,” he said.
He explained that a simple metal cash box used in the community as VSLAs that proved transformational in helping people find a way out of poverty and helping become more empowered.
“Increased incomes, access to loans, learning the savings habit, women’s empowerment,” he Stressed.
On her part, Mrs Comfort Attah, the Executive Director ASHH foundation
Said VSLA schemes, bring together 25 women in a village to create a local group.
“Together they each save a small amount of money every week. Within a short time, there is money in the box which the women can also borrow.
“They pay a flat borrowing fee and might use the money to start a business, pay for school uniforms or buy medicines.
“The members all know each other, but even if they are related you are not borrowing from family, you are borrowing from the group.
Mrs Attah said they were trained also on productive income generating activities such as making Vaseline, Share Butter, Air Freshener and Liquid soup.
She noted that the women survivors were able to produce quantum of products learnt in the two local government councils of the State.
A beneficiary Mrs Jummai Bala said the programme brought us together to become economically viable in the community.
“We rely on each other and have become friends through the village savings and loans group.
” We are always together, just like one, to share our ideas and support each other,when women earn, everyone benefits,” she said.
Our Correspondents report that the VSLAs scheme was supported by Actionaid and global affairs Canada under the Women’s Voice and leadership project.
