Widows, orphans empowered in Lagos community

 

By Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyi

 

A non for profit organisation, Jay Mecare Foundation (JMC) that caters for less priviledged in the society recently organised a workshop for widow, orphans, and senior citizens in Lagos. The one day workshop tagged: “Motivation and empowerment programme for community women and youths in Lagos” held at RCCG hall, in Omole Phase 1, Lagos State attracted large number of participants that were engaged in various vocational skills, health tips, entrepreneurial lectures and moral counseling and the official launching of the JMC foundation.

JMC Founder Dr. Mrs. Esther Jaiyeola, a University of America trained educationist in her opening speech, charged the participants to put God first in all their daily dealings to attract his favour and mercy. She cited a situation that Nigerians are living in a $1 per day bases, saying it is not right for a nation that has abundance of human and economic resources.  She said the foundation seeks to support the less-privileged and vulnerable to have self esteem, be self reliance and also contribute positively to the community they belong.

Speaking on efforts made by the foundations, Dr. Jaiyeola said:  “JMC is founded out of compassion to cater for the needy, noticing the pains widows pass through after death of husbands.  Aside programmes that widows and orphans benefit from, our main focus has been the senior citizens of this country. Grandparent’s project is our topmost agenda because most of them have various problems like old age sickness, neglects from family members, and related matters.  The vision came to me when I went to USA in 2012 on a visit, I witnessed how government, organised “Grandparent s day’. I said to myself, if this is done here, it will help some aged among us. This involves a get together where parents will meet and be celebrated with their grandchildren, exchange views and experiences while proffer solutions to ills and moral decadence in the society. We also have scholarship programmes that have produced two graduates now.

Mrs. E. Olatunji, chairman of the event lauded the effort of the foundation especially at this time of recession to think good of the less priviledged in the society. She charged the enthusiastic participants to be grateful for such an opportunity while admonishing them on social complex that berides their moving forward. She said, “God has designed man and woman for different purpose in life. Gender disparity seen in the eyes of many people is sometimes  a complex, in that people should endeavor to be contented with any gift and responsibility God has given them to do on earth.”’ She also enjoined the participants to imbibe the spirit of being a blessing to others by charting their own way positively, instead of asking for blessings all the time.

Guest speaker Pastor Franklin Sado in his speech emphasized more on healthy living which cannot be separated from economic development.  The second speaker Mrs. Yemi Akinsami also talked on what widows should know and do to overcome challenges in live that include knowledge of rights after demise of husband, earning income to be independent and engaging in useful entrepreneurial ventures to sustain live and that of her immediate family. The resource person demonstrated how to make soap to the participants and others things.