Foundation gets govt’s nod to train public students in skills acquisition

 

By Edith Igbokwe

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Gerbera Care Foundation, has received approval from the Lagos State Government to carry out teenagers skill training in nine secondary schools within Kosofe axis.

The schools include Anthony Village Senior High School; Ayedere-Ajibola Senior High School, Ketu; Community Senior Secondary School, Ketu; Comprehensive Senior High School, Ketu; Ifako Comprehensive Senior High School.

Others are Immaculate Heart Senior High School; Mende Senior High School, Maryland; Ogudu Senior Grammar School and Ojota Senior Secondary School, Ojota.

The organization focused on girl-child and missionary children as it commenced Upskill 2022 – a soft skill training for secondary school students in Kosofe Local Government Area.

The Chairperson, Mrs. Seyi Adeyera, said the goal of Gerbera Care Foundation was to prepare teenagers for adulthood by equipping them with skills needed to confidently navigate social, academic and professional situations.

She noted that the foundation was committed to creating awareness on cervical and breast cancer among the girl child at large and would carry out advocacy on the importance of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination in non sexually active girl-child.

She explained that the training would cover etiquette, communications skills, leadership skills, teamwork, breast and cervical cancer awareness and free test, organization skills, community service, sex and sex abuse.

While the foundation would provide empowerment tools aimed at supporting  the welfare and health of the girl-child for personal growth, as part of its contribution in the fight to eradicate physical and mental poverty among the younger generation.

Others lined out programmes include critical thinking, chess games, mental health, emotional intelligence and responsibility.

“We believe that one of the ways we can contribute towards the fight against physical and mental poverty is by equipping young children with soft skills that are profitable in the world today.

“The girl-child is a significant being with so much deposited in her, besides becoming a wife or woman when all conditions are right, especially in this age and time.

“She is the channel through which the balance of human existence is built upon hence, we are passionate to see to their welfare especially their health.

“To this end, we are passionate about creating awareness on cervical and breast cancer and other female related health issues among secondary students and the female gender at large.

“We are as well particular about the importance of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination in non sexually active girl child.

“The Upskill 2022 starts from Government Senior Secondary School, Ogudu and we are calling on well meaning Nigerians to support this course.”

Mr. Dare Ogunleye, popularly known as Dare Chess, pledged his commitment to teaching the students the benefits of the game of chess as his contribution to the project.

“It is a harmony of the body, mind and spirit; when one is free from physical and mental distractions, the gates of creativity, responsibility and positive action is opened.

“In line with Gerbera Care Foundation’s mission, we would continue to promote all round enrichment to our target audience by providing educational supports and every tool necessary for personal growth and development.”

Principal, Government Senior Secondary School Ogudu, Mrs. Clara Adebayo commended the development aimed at positively impacting the lives of the pupils and gaining their interests in productive things.

She urged the organizers to include more knowledge edifying games such as Scrabble to further equip the children to be at par with their counterparts globally.