OLA Sisters, Hilton Foundation Train, Empower Vulnerable Girls With Sewing Machines

By Frederick Peters, KADUNA.

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, (OLA) in conjunction with Hilton Foundation, donated 11 Sewing Machines to vulnerable girls trained in tailoring in Kaduna.

The graduands passed through a year training period in the two year skill training program sponsored by Hilton Foundation, Abuja, held at St Peter’s Sabo with the graduation ceremony at St Anne’s schools, Kakuri, Kaduna on  Sunday, November, I9, 2023.

The coordinator of the program, Rev Sr Monica Onwunali, OLA said, ” just like last year, today we are graduating our girls, the vulnerable, we are empowering them after they have been trained for a year, we are empowering them with sewing machines that is sponsored by Hilton foundation, Hilton foundation had been sponsoring the work of the Sisters all over, because it was the wish of the founder, 

” he wanted that a great percentage of his wealth to be for the Sisters because he said, if you give Rev Sisters one thing, they will make it three, so as Catholic Sisters, they  believed in us and that’s what we are showing today, the girls have been trained for one year, they have been empowered with good sewing machines that will help them take care of themselves and their families in the future” she added.

According to her, this graduation marked the last set and end of the two year program, except otherwise ” this is the second edition, it’s a two year program, we did it last year, this is the last set for the two year program, by God’s grace, if more come, we continue, today, we are presenting eleven of them with sewing machines

She further called on the beneficiaries ” to be resourceful, to use their ( Sewing machines) wisely as it’s their treasure that will help them to build their family as young women” she stated.

Similarly, the Chaplain of St Annes Schools, Kaduna, Rev Fr Kenneth Kabashio, admonished the beneficiaries, ” we thank God for his blessings in their lives, adding that with the way things are, this step by the church, put equally, by the Sisters in conjunction with the priests at St Peter’s Parish, Sabo is a good move to help them in their lives as things are becoming tougher by the day in our land”

He further noted the need for more individuals and organizations to be helping people this way, so that, we’ll have more independent people that will be able to take care of themselves and take care of their dependants.

The training instructor, Maria Izachi, feeling excited, said during the one year Sewing training program, the Sisters really helped in providing materials and at the end of their training they were able to be equipped with sewing machines, which will enable them( trainees) to carry out what they have learned fully well.

” Kudos to the Sisters, they have really tried, because it’s not an easy task for them to train; not just training but in the course of their training they were provided equipment to carry out their practicals, at the end today being their graduation, they have been empowered to carry out  the skills they have acquired to the fullest” she remarked.

 One of the beneficiaries, Miss Dorcas Yakubu, described how it feels ” I’m over-excited, I can’t really say, but am so happy to be among the people who are graduating today and be among those given the sewing machines,

” I really want to appreciate the Sisters, may God continue to bless them, strength them and lift them high above, I really thank them all, we are so happy to be among them; the gift of the Sewing Machine is surely going to be helpful to my life in future”.she reiterated.

 Another beneficiary, Miss Judith Anita Joseph, impressed by the kind gesture said ” My heart is filled with joy, because the machine is costly and I can’t really afford to buy it, but to God be the glory the Sisters provided the Machines for free; ever since I have dreamt of being a tailor ( seamstress) but no money or empowerment, but today with the help of the Sisters that dream has come true,” 

 Adding that, as it is said” many are called but few are chosen ” I’m very grateful that today I am among the chosen ones that will be going home with the machines; am very grateful to the Sisters and may God bless them.” she said.

 Also, Miss Favour Raymond, a member of Living Faith, Sabo said, it feels great to be one of the beneficiaries, ” I feel excited, I was like, I’m the luckiest person, since they  chose me among the ones that were given scholarship” adding that after graduation, she will further her business, ” I will continue my business, I’ll be doing it at home, once I have money, I’ll rent shop and train others,”

On her part, Mrs Jane Ihuneweze, with the Soulwinner Church, Kaduna, said, ” I feel good because, I’m not a Catholic  member, but God did it for me and I joined them, am so happy, I’m overwhelmed and after graduation, am going to continue the work, I’m not going to stop  ” she assured.