Empower Victims of Boko Haram Violence In Nigeria

This project which is aimed at providing psycho-social support and livelihoods skills to 1000 girls and women who are victims of violent extremist activities in the North East of Nigeria began 2 years ago. Since its takeoff, the Centre for Sustainable Development and Education in Africa (CSDEA) has been able to support 140 girls and women to heal from trauma and be reintegrated into society thanks to your generous donations. Eighteen of these women have been supported with livelihood skills to set up their own businesses (tailoring/fashion shops) and be financially sustainable. As indicated in our last report, an additional ten ladies who participated in the first round of the psycho-social support program have started tailoring training while another five girls/women have finalized the process to begin their cattle farm. We have secured a farmland and it is being used collaboratively by these five girls and women in rearing their cattle.

Attached to this report is a short video demonstrating how these girls and women use dance and drama to heal from trauma and a picture of some of the graduates in their own joint tailoring shop.

Links:

• Video showing how participants use dance and drama to heal

This project set out to empower 1000 rape victims and widows with integrated peacebuilding skills in the North Eastern region of Nigeria. The project is designed to provide psycho-social support, mentoring and livelihoods training for financial independence to 1000 rape victims and widows traumatized by the violent activities of Boko Haram and other insurgent groups.

Project recipients are counselled and provided with skills to cope with trauma including mentoring at a well equipped centre. At the same time they receive training and empowerment in tailoring and cattle rearing, that will help them to be financially independent and be able to provide for their families' economic needs and well-being. One Hundred recipients have received psycho-social support so far, out of which eighteen of them have been trained in tailoring and were empowered with their own tailoring machines, shops, start up kits and stipends. 

As reported last month, a new set of 40 project recipients have started the psycho-social support program. Ten women who participated in the first round of the psycho-social support program have also enlisted for the second round of tailoring training while another five are finalizing the process to begin their cattle farm. We have secured a farm and it will be used collaboratively by these five girls and women in rearing their cattle.

You can further support this project on the 3rd of December, 2019 (GivingTuesday), as GlobalGiving will be giving out $500k in matching funds and bonus prizes. We are looking for 100 donations of at least $10 to win the first prize of $5000. You can volunteer to reach out to your friends and family about this competition. It starts at 9am until 11pm New York time. Thank you for your support always!