Halle Mudi, Minna
A non governmental organization (NGO) Stella Maris Educational Foundation (SMEF) has offered scholarship to over 370 orphans and vulnerable children from HIV/AIDS impacted families in Minna, the Niger State capital.
The founder of SMEF , Rev. Fr. Chiedozie Ezeribe stated this during the Kit Up A Girl Child in Minna organized by the organization.
He explained that the Foundation which started in 2011 also partner with schools in rural communities to offer educational assistance.
Rev. Fr. Chiedozie Ezeribe said in the first phase, one hundred and sixteen persons benefitted from the kit up a girl girl but that it will be repeated every four months.
“We had 164 children from parents who were impacted HIV/AIDS and many other orphans who were out of school irrespective of the religious or tribal differences.
“In this pilot scheme here in Dutsen Kura, each kit has 8 packs of pads, three panties, there tight, three brazzierz, detergent and bar soap,” he stated.
The cleric also disclosed that the group after visiting various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Gusoro in Shiroro local government area and Kafin Koro in Paikoro local government area, the school fees of Sixty (60) more children who escaped banditry were settled.
Rev. Fr. Ezeribe further added that after the pilot program, the Kit Up a Girl Project will be taken to five other chosen communities which include Fadipe, Maikunkele, Chanchaga, Mutun Daya and Gbaiko.
The Bishop of Minna Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Martins Uzoukwu who was represented by Secretary of Education, Minna Diocese, Rev. Fr. Isaac Abba in his goodwill thanked the group for giving hope to children who survived Banditry
Also, Director of Child Development Department under the Niger state Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Maria Ndako charged the group to include the boy child in the program of activities.