Tuesday, 31 October 2017

Save Our Needy Helps Marginalized Women Break The Cycle of Poverty


Participants receiving training on craftswork


In present day Nigeria, many women face a lot of economic challenges and this is even more evident because a lot of women are the breadwinners in their households. Many women are teetering precariously on the brink of lifelong poverty as a result of illiteracy, unemployment and gender inequality issues. 


The craftswork trainer at work

Save Our Needy believes that women should be given every opportunity to fulfill their potential, no matter their circumstances. They should be organized and strengthened. Investing in women’s economic empowerment will lead to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ending hunger, poverty, promoting economic empowerment and gender equality as all these cannot be achieved without empowering women with a means of livelihood.

During the craftswork training

Lifting women out of poverty is one of the most effective antidotes to the nation’s pressing problems. Women play a special role in the society by contributing not only to family well-being, but to community well-being as a whole.

Project SAVE (Skills Acquisition Vocational training and Empowerment) was initiated to help underserved women become self-sufficient through vocational training and economic empowerment. Through this initiative, the organization gives free training on income-generating skills to marginalized and vulnerable women as well as provides them with the necessary equipment to start their own small businesses at the end of the training.

A participant trying her hands on making recycled ankara sandals

Save Our Needy reached out to 30 women living in Ajegunle/Orile (an urban slum) to freely train them on catering (the making of finger foods) and craftwork which involves the use of a local fabric (Ankara) to produce or recycle items such as bags and footwear.
Participants were also trained on financial literacy skills, leadership skills and entrepreneurship skills. These skills will prepare them for their new small businesses.
 
During the craftswork training

Participants engrossed in making finger foods


During the catering class






Cocktails made by participants of the program




During the leadership, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills class


The project was very successful and all the participants all had wonderful encomiums to pour on the SON team after 5 weeks of intensive training by experts.

Ankara-made bags
 
Recycled bag and sandal made from ankara fabric

Finger foods and cocktails ready for consumption



Since inception, Save Our Needy (SON) has successfully implemented empowerment and entrepreneurship programs aimed at encouraging women and young people to become financially independent.
#EmpowerAWomanEmpowerANation

Friday, 13 October 2017

Marvella Odili Joins The International Women's Society (IWS).

Dateline: 10/10/17

Founder and CEO of Save Our Needy, Marvella Odili was officially inducted into the International Women's Society on Tuesday, October 10th 2017.
 
Marvella Odili (R) at the IWS induction ceremony

Mrs. Ego Boyo (M) poses with new members during the induction ceremony

 

The International Women's Society (IWS) is an independent, non-political, non-governmental and non-profit organization founded in 1957 by public-spirited Nigerian and expatriate women to support and work for the advancement of disadvantaged and marginalized women and children.
 
 
 

The organization spans 20 countries and has a fantastic multi-generational support group. Networking, fostering of life-long friendships and the development of individuals as well as communities are some of the opportunities the organization provides.
 
 
 

Many notable, successful and accomplished Nigerian women including Mrs. Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele (former Deputy of Lagos State), Mrs. Nkiru Anumudu, Mrs. Abiola Otufale and Mrs. Evelyn Akeredolu are an integral part of the organization. Wives of diplomats are honorary members.
 
Marvella Odili, Founder and CEO, Save Our Needy

Marvella Odili with Susan Peters, Nollywood star and model

 

Mrs. Ego Boyo (CEO, Temple Productions, Nollywood A-list actress, and Producer) is currently the President. 
 
Marvella Odili with Mrs. Ego Boyo, President IWS

Wednesday, 11 October 2017

Save Our Needy Celebrates International Day of The Girl With Marginalized Girls

Save Our Needy in partnership with the International Women's Society (IWS) celebrated the International Day of the Girl with the students of Girls Senior Academy, Lafiagi, Lagos Island, today.






Education is the key to sustainable human development

Girls should be trained to become leaders

The project entitled M.E.T (Motivate, Educate and Train) Girls which was launched in November 2016 by Save Our Needy aims at encouraging and promoting leadership in girls. More than 1,000 girls have benefited from this program till date.

Guest speaker, Mrs. Pauline Tomlin speaking to the girls about entrepreneurship

The girls affirm their beliefs in becoming leaders and strong girls.

Mrs. Dolapo Coker (IWS Executive Committee member) speak to the girls about sexual and reproductive health.

Mrs. Nneoma Effanga talks about leadership to the girls
The program was very successful as all the guest speakers drove home their points in fun, exciting ways. The girls were all delighted to be a part of the program. They were given gift packs at the end of the program.


The girls are encouraged to enrol in STEM classes to bridge the gender technology gap.

L-R: Mrs. Nkoli Ogbolu, Mrs. Priscilla Benjamin Olaoye, Chief Mrs. Victoria Akpan, Mrs. Bimbola Ademola (Vice-President, IWS), Mrs. Ego Boyo (President, IWS), Mrs. Grace Kalango, Mrs. Dolapo Coker, Mrs. Kabiawu (Principal, Girls Senior Academy), Mrs. Uwa Saleh and Mrs. Pauline Tomlin

The IWS was ably represented by its executive members and members including the President, Mrs. Ego Boyo (CEO, Temple Productions, Nollywood A-list actress and Producer). Save Our Needy was represented by the Founder and CEO, Marvella Odili.

L-R: Chief Mrs. Victoria Akpan (Executive Committee member, IWS), Mrs. Pauline Tomlin, Mrs. Kabiawu and Marvella Odili (Founder and CEO, Save Our Needy).






Marvella Odili with students of Girls Senior Academy
Marvella Odili showing love to the students of Girls Senior Academy

Educate a girl, educate a nation


A cross section of excited girls at the program

#InternationalDayOfTheGirl



All girls should have an education and be empowered

The International Day of the Girl is celebrated annually on October 11 to highlight issues affecting girls particularly gender inequality. This year's theme is EmPOWER Girls: Emergency response and resilience planning.

Happy #InternationalDayOfTheGirl

#GirlPower #StrongGirls #WomenSupportingWomen #GirlsCount