SKILL ACQUISITION: AL – MANAR WOMEN ASSOCIATION TRAINS UNDER – SEVENTEEN CHILDREN, SICKLE CELL WARRIORS
Zainab Tanimu
Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria
Al-Manar Women Association (AMWA) as part of its contribution to the growth of the society has trained 44 children in different skills.
The training which was organized at its premises has categories of children from the ages of 7 to 17years in attendance.
According to the President, Al-Manar Women Association, Hajiya Rabiatu Umar Abdullahi, the training is meant to develop in them the culture of being self reliant.
The Amira in an interview with Newsreservoir, explained that the training programme usually takes place during the holidays when children have time to fully participate in the program.
The children she said are happy because they have shown enthusiasm towards the programme.
“I am really happy with the children’s performance. They too are excited. They have shown a lot of enthusiasm. Though, it is like a play to them but in the real sense of it they learn a lot.
As to what prompted them into organizing such programme, she has this to say.
“Since the inception of the association, we have the training of women and youth in mind because we wanted to empower the society. We want our society members to be self-reliant, we want to have a morally sound and healthy society and without entrepreneurship, that may not be possible.”
“If women at home learn skills and have a source of income, they will be able to cater for themselves and become more confident, respected and be able to train their children better. She added.
Other programmes by the association includes marriage counseling, and they have video centers in different places in the state.
“Also, we support schools in villages, we pay teacher salaries to teach pupils where there are no teachers”
As for why they are concentrating on training children.
“We are concentrating on children because we want them to grow with ‘earning culture’ instead of spending, so that they can take care of themselves.
The present economic situation on ground where there is no employment for the child after graduating from university she stressed poses danger on the child. In such a situation, a child becomes helpless, redundant and the next thing is that such child is lured into joining a bad gang and committing all manners of atrocities.
“Usually, when they come out of school, there is no work, they don’t know how to do anything, they become redundant, they become frustrated, they become drug addicts but if at the early stage they learn this entrepreneurship, they learn to take care of themselves, they learn to earn money, they will not have problems even if they do not get a job”.
There are people she said who go to school for the sake of broadening their knowledge but not ready to work for anyone. It is a good thing to be self – reliant. She added.
Hajiya Rabiatu who felt excited as she looked forward to the organization moving to greater heights is calling for more partnership.
The association presently partners with Barau Dikko hospital who have some of their warriors (sickle cell patients)16 of them who participated in the skill acquisition programme.
Participating in such a programme, apart from giving them a boost by raising their hope of a better life will provide them a source of living. She stated.
“They miss school because of their illness. And psychologically it affects them but if they have some skills, it will encourage them to be more active and makes them happier as they see themselves being productive in the society.
Altogether, 44 children were graduated.
Also speaking, the Head of Education, Al-Manar Women Association Hajiya Salamatu Balarabe who also stressed the importance of children acquiring skills at an early age called on the need for parents to guide their children in terms of choosing a career. Every child she said has his own talent and should be guided towards developing such potentials rather than choosing that which does not suit them.
Hajiya cited a case of a mother trying to force her child to learn a trade of her choice but unlucky for the mother, that space was filled up. At the end of the training, the child expressed satisfaction with that which she had chosen herself. She was able to excel because she has passion for it. Parents she said should guide, not to force.
“Alhamdulillah, I am really happy seeing these little children, 7yrs old making shoes, bags and bead work.”
The coordinator, Hajiya Fatima Binta Aliyu also was amazed with the childrens performance.
“I feel very happy. I am advising our mothers to bring their children for this training.”
Advising the children, “if you make small small things to sell, it can help your parents to buy text books or exercise books and they will be very happy.
“And for those of you who did catering, you can make snacks at home for breakfast and for visitors instead of spending money on bread or snacks.
Dr. Sadia of the Barau Dikko hospital appreciating the efforts of Al – Manar Women Association in their bids to positively impact on the lives of the young ones described their collaboration as worthwhile while urging that parents give maximum attention to the well being of their children.
The resource persons speaking in their various capacities could not hide their joy. The children they said throughout the training demonstrated zeal and enthusiasm. They charged parents to avail their children for trainings as that will make them self reliance.
According to her, lt was a pleasant experience teaching her class whom she said have learnt to make varieties of snacks and drinks.
Hajiya Asma’u Bashir Shehu is one of the instructors. She is one woman who believes in entrepreneurship.
According to her, she started earning money right from her secondary days when she used to sew school uniforms for her friends during the holidays before going back to school. She does other things like making of bags, throw pillows, beadwork etc.
One she said needs to be self reliant. These days, 99% of women are the ones running the homes.
Hajiya Asma’u urged the women to learn trade, engage in business no matter how small because things have changed. There is nothing like one being self reliant, she said.
The economy is biting hard. Ninety- nine percent of women today are the ones running the homes.
If a woman or housewife has something to do, she will have peace of mind as well as commands more respect from the husband. As far as she is concerned, business is more profitable than earning of salary.
Hajiya Asma’u encourages her children to learn a trade at an early age. Mardiyya and AbdulAleem both are her children. They are instructors in Al-Manar where they teach the children various skills.
According to him, he enjoys what he is doing as it fetches him money to take care of himself and also assist his family.
“I am 14years old. I can sew and can make so many things. Bags, throw pillows, etc. I feel very happy. It is good to know how to do these things so that you can earn money for yourself, buy things for school as well as help your parents. I started learning this trade since l was small through my mother and aunty.
I am advising my fellow children to learn trade. It is very good.
This is a happy family, mother and children who jointly produce wares and make supplies for whoever needs their services.
Hajiya Asma’u is a graduate. A health technologist and happy doing her trade.
“I make more than a salary earner. Sometimes l make twenty handbags a day, which l sell at the rate of N2,000 each. She said.
Favour Thomas is one of the participants from the catering department. One of the warriors (sickle cell patient) speaking on the training.
She is glad to participate in the training programme.
According to her, the sky is her limit as she is not going to be deterred by her health status from achieving her dream.
By participating in the training, she has added to her knowledge, she said.
“I am appreciating Al-Manar Women Association.
I say thank you for this opportunity.
I have learnt a lot. Everyday we come, we learn new snacks and drink to go with it.
Amongst the delicacies were small chops like spring rolls, samosa and doughnuts.
My advise to the youth particularly the women, is that you mustn’t be married before you improve yourself. There are new things to learn, new methods of baking, how you can be creative, how you can use your own initiative. Even how to be economical when you are doing some of these things.
“We learnt that you can bake bread from your kitchen, it is more economical and richer. We appreciate Al-Marna and Barau Dikko. Most of us in the kitchen are warriors.
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