L-R: Mrs. Uche Asogwa, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Iwunze and Dr. Nkechi Asogwa with some of the beneficiaries.
A cross section of participants/beneficiaries.
Some of the the beneficiaries during the breast cancer screening.
By Odinaka Uruakpa
Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), Southern California, working in partnership with the Doctors Health Initiative (DHI) was at some states in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria, on a mission to empower vulnerable women.
Of particular interest to the mission are widows and young girls who were empowered with skills in sewing and personal hygiene. Beneficiaries also received training on ovulation as a sign of health.
Mrs. Uche Asogwa, the resource person, banker and a Fertility Education and Medical Management (FEMM) user, spoke to the women on the importance of ovulation as a sign of health.
Said she: “On ovulating, a woman releases a mature ovum in each circle. We use the term called Biomarkers to assess cycle and make sure a woman is healthy, just like other vital signs taken in a hospital checkup like blood pressure measurement.
“Ovulation is a sign of health. If an adult woman doesn’t ovulate, it is important to investigate and correct the problem. Our NGO is interested in the integral welfare of the underprivileged women and girls. So, apart from the sewing skills, we want to help you achieve optimal health. One of such ways is through Fertility Education and Medical Management”.
Skills for financial planning was also on the menu, with Mrs. Ifeyinwa Iwunze, an expert and procurement officer of DHI on ground to provide enlightenment.
Said Iwunze while addressing the beneficiaries: “You are being taught skills now, and sewing machines will be donated to make sure you start earning as soon as possible. But it is important you start learning financial responsibility by saving money. You can decide to save as little as 2,000 Naira monthly”.
There was a question and answer session which provided beneficiaries with opportunity to appreciate the organisers for putting up the empowerment programme.
Cancer screening was also done for the women in the course of the programme.
