Dodowa: The SOS Children's Village has granted financial support to caregivers and youth in business in the Dodowa and Ayikuma areas under its Direct Family Empowerment Project. The support grant aims to assist caregivers and youths in expanding their business enterprises.
According to Ghana News Agency, the grant is part of the SOS initiative to promote child and family development in the community. Mr. Dziedzom Owusu Agbe, the Project Coordinator for the Direct Family Empowerment Project, revealed that 25 individuals were assessed by the grant and loan committee of the SOS. Among them, eleven caregivers received cash grants, while 14 youth involved in business and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) received essential tools like industrial sewing machines, dispensers, juicers, deep freezers, motorcycles, cutting machines, and pressure washers.
Mr. Agbe emphasized that the initiative aims to empower caregivers and youth to become economically independent, supporting both themselves and their communities. As part of this effort, they collaborated with Anum Rural Bank PLC's staff to provide education on saving and money management. He expressed hope that beneficiaries would, in turn, train others for free, thus fostering community development.
In addition, Mr. Agbe appealed to the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly (SODA) to consider exempting some beneficiaries from paying business operating permits temporarily, to allow them to establish themselves firmly. He encouraged beneficiaries to remain committed to their businesses, as this would contribute to poverty reduction in the area.
The project coordinator also called for support from the assembly, stakeholders, and philanthropists, highlighting the importance of empowering caregivers and youth in the community. Beneficiaries like Madam Rita Mamley Teye, a seamstress, and Madam Esther Larweh, a caregiver, expressed gratitude for the support, noting the positive impact it would have on their ability to provide for their families.
Madam Larweh also urged philanthropic and non-governmental organizations to contribute to such initiatives, stressing the need for collective efforts to alleviate poverty in the region.
