By Rodiat Jokodolu
The Grassroots Education and Empowerment Scheme (GEMS), an intervention sponsored by the Educational Trust Foundation for Sustainable Development (popularly called EduTrust Foundation), has empowered 5 youths from Shaare town in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State.
GEMS is an initiative that seeks to promote education, entrepreneurship, and empowerment of rural communities in Nigeria. The just-concluded event is a follow-up to contain the aftermaths of the COVID-19 pandemic in rural communities.
It is an attempt to utilise a shield and a sword approach to shift mindsets, boost immunity and promote informed action to cushion the adverse effects of COVID-19.
The scheme is committed to empowering the underprivileged rural women and youths with entrepreneurial skills and training; while stimulating access to seed capital for small business startups among selected beneficiaries.
The four-man team was led by Chima Francis Osuji (Esq) to Shaare in the Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara, where the five youths were empowered.
The beneficiaries were equipped with skills across hair cream making, make-up, liquid soap, bead making, and disinfectant production.
It was also a knowledge-sharing moment as the team comprised of the lead, Barr. Chima Osuji, and Mr. Adam Usman, Mrs. Yetunde Fakorede, Mrs. Sherifat Adams, Mrs. Geraldine Osuji all share with the youths words of admonition and tips to running a successful business enterprise.
The foundation released the sum of two hundred thousand Naira as seed capital to all the five beneficiaries while pledging continuous supports and check-in to ensure the beneficiaries successfully run their business enterprise.
This is coming after a separate some had been allocated to the purchase of equipment to aid the practice of the skills they acquired with additional ten thousand nairas to start the business.
They will be given ten thousand more after three months of supervision and the remaining ten thousand nairas after another three months of supervision to aid their continual learning and working and also empowering their mates.
The beneficiaries are Salaudeen Salimot Yetunde (Liquid Soap Making); Suliyah Soliu (Liquid Soapmaking);
Muhammed Muizdeen (Hair cream making); Aisha Jimoh ( Bead Making); Sulaeman Kausara (Makeup).
The beneficiaries appreciated the foundation and promised to empower their mates also from what they learnt.
The session came to a close with prayers and a vote of thanks from the village head alongside group pictures.
