April 5th 2019
On April 4 2019, the Women’s Technology Empowerment Center (WTEC) in conjunction with the Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation (AAF) held a graduation ceremony for participants of the Rotary Club of Falomo Skills Acquisition & Technology Training for Girls (SATT).
Stage 1 of the program; was a 2-day training on soft furnishing and recycling/ waste to wealth training and project work. At the end of training participants acquired skills useful for managing waste and recycling waste materials, such as, tyres for household furniture, while acquiring skills to generate wealth from wastes materials: Boards, Foam, Gum, measuring tape, Tyres, Scissors and others. The session was facilitated by The Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation.
Stage 2 of the program; was a 2-day technology training, focusing on social media design, branding training and project work. Specifically, they learnt how to use social networking and business promotion tools (including Instagram, Facebook, Mailing Lists and WhatsApp to share information about products and services in a targeted way, reach potential customers, deliver better customer service and building a community with existing clients. At the end of the training, the participants understood the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) needed to enhance and support small & medium enterprises. The workshop was done using, internet enabled mobile phones and laptop computers. The session was facilitated by The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC).
The skills acquisition and technology training program was a (5- Day) workshop (March 28th – April 4th), organised for girls between the ages of 17 and 23 years from resource poor female headed households, who are in the very vulnerable stage of late adolescents and young adulthood. The course was expected to help them hone innovative ideas and channel their creative ability to very positive purpose.
The objectives of the program was to equip young women (18+ years) with practical skills – with a focus on making home furnishing like cushions, cushion covers and stools – that they can use immediately to earn income and equip the women with technology skills – with a focus on social media, design and branding skills – that they can use to promote the other practical skills gained.
Program Analysis
Number of Beneficiaries: 20
Duration: 5 Days (4 training days & 1 project showcase day)
Implementing organisations:
- The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC)
- The Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation (AAAF)
Funding Organisation: Rotary Club of Falomo, District 9110, Lagos – Nigeria
Venue: Church of God Mission, Ojodu Provincial Head Quarters.
The Skills Acquisition and Technology Training for Girls (SATT-G) concept was premised on a quest for equipping young girls with transformational critical thinking and problem solving skills. The training programme was also packaged to offer life skills that enhance personal and interpersonal skills that will help young girls maximise economic opportunities and transcend traditional knowledge space and cognitive learning that promotes regurgitation. This we witnessed manifesting during the workshop as our many participants were able to set up social media accounts for family and friends to showcase their small businesses and others also expressed their inspirations to setting up recycling ventures.
Graduation Ceremony
During the well-attended graduation ceremony, the President of the Rotary Club – Falomo District; Dr Ndu Okaro said on behalf of his District, that they are proud to empowering young women who can now fend for themselves, making them not susceptible to ill vices of society. After his presentation and that of the Executive Director of W.TEC, Mrs Oreoluwa Lesi and the Programmes Co-ordinator of the AAF; Mrs Foluke Ademokun, certificates of participation were given to the participants.
Testimonies
Two major testimonials that stood out was from Miss Eyiyemi Mistura who mentioned that during the workshop she practiced her social media skills by setting up social media accounts for her mum’s business and an aunt was willing to pay her a token to set up one her too. Another testimonial from Miss Adeleye Adeyanju, she said that she got an inspiration from the workshop to design a social media feature which has details and addresses of users for emergency cases where the feature will alert security agencies with full details of where help is needed.
About W.TEC
The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) is a Nigerian nonprofit organisation committed to building a more inclusive technology ecosystem, with the next generation of women technology creators, entrepreneurs and leaders. Our programmes encourage more girls to pursue technology careers and support women (entrepreneurs and in civil society) to use technology confidently to increase their economic power and ability to speak about issues affecting their lives.
About AAAF:
The Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation (AAAF) was launched in January 2008 by Barr. (Dr) Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi (MON), the GEVC Sifax Group with his siblings in memory of their late mother, Alhaja Ajoke Afolabi. The prime focus of the foundation is to empower widows and orphans; however we also undertake other humanitarian and charitable activities. AAAF is committed to poverty alleviation, socioeconomic emancipation and empowerment of vulnerable persons.
About Rotary Club of Falomo
The Rotary Club of Falomo is an arm of Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria, the club was chartered on the 10th of February 1998. Economic and Community development is a key area of focus for Rotary, in order to strengthen local entrepreneurs, particularly women, the club is partnering with W.TEC and A.A.A.F to fund, provide vocational training and access to materials and technology to enhance small and medium enterprises and multiply employment opportunities in the community.
For more information about the workshop get in touch with:
Yemi Odutola (Communication Officer – W.TEC),
Tel: +234.809.698.7541
Email: info@wtec.org.ng
Website: www.wtec.org.ng
Twitter: @wteconline
Facebook: @wteconlinepage