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Last weekend, the Badore Fisherman Community in the Eti Osa area of Lagos witnessed a vibrant conclusion to a three-day pastry-making training program. This initiative, designed to empower local women, took place in the community’s picturesque yet tranquil environment, nestled between the Badore Canal and Lagos Lagoon.
COMMUNITY SETTING:
- Badore Fisherman Community: A serene, waterside area with a rural ambiance, situated behind Badore market, known for its fresh produce. The community contrasts sharply with the fast-paced urban environment of Lagos.
TRAINING INITIATIVE:
- UCCareforall Empowerment Program: The training, organized by the UCCareforall Foundation, aimed to bring together about 50 women to foster self-improvement and community development. The program, led by project director Ofon Umoh (MentorC), sought to address issues like unemployment and lack of skills by empowering local women.
- FACILITATOR AND TRAINING: Iruoghene Sasha Omar, a teacher turned baker, conducted the training. She noted that it was her first experience training such a large group with minimal supervision yet achieving professional results.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
- Positive Feedback: National coordinator Raphael Odu praised the enthusiasm and commitment of the women, highlighting the training as one of the most successful events of the initiative. He noted that the women were eager to apply their new skills and expressed satisfaction with the training.
- UNUSUAL CHALLENGES: Gaining the community’s trust and accessing them involved navigating various local levies imposed by government and traditional rulers. Despite these obstacles, the foundation remains committed to addressing the community’s broader challenges.
FUTURE PLANS:
- ADDRESSING LOCAL ISSUES: The UCCareforall Foundation plans to tackle issues such as sanitation, clean water access, and education, starting with improving water access.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
- SHARED PASTRIES: Charles Olanrewaju, an advocate for the initiative, ensured that the pastries made during the training—doughnuts, egg rolls, fish rolls, chin chin, buns, pizza, and coconut candy—were shared with community members and children throughout the event.
UCCAREFORALL FOUNDATION:
- MISSION AND ACHIEVEMENTS: The UCCareforall Foundation, dedicated to combating sexual abuse and empowering women and girls, awarded certificates to participants who completed all three days of training.
The event was not only a culinary learning experience but also a step towards empowering and uplifting the Badore Fisherman Community.