US-based NGO Vanede, CEE-HOPE, Hearts of Hope Shelter give GBV survivors end of year treat, business grants

 

In a display of solidarity and support, CEE-HOPE, Hearts of Hope Shelter, and US-based NGO Vanede joined forces to bring joy to survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) with a feast tagged ‘End-of-year love fiesta’ recently in Lagos.

The event, which coincided with CEE-HOPE’s 11th anniversary, was held on Sunday in Lagos featuring a mental health talk, healthcare screenings, massage sessions, makeup sessions, clothing, cash, food items and other gifts to all the participants. They included current and former residents of CEE-HOPE’s shelter, Hearts of Hope supported by Hearts100.

The event was funded by Vanade-USA whose founder, Nneka Obiekwe was at hand to motivate and give out the goodies to the women.

The women were also treated to good music, sumptuous meals and drinks to make the day memorable.

This year’s End-of-year love fiesta is the second time the organisers are celebrating and giving a good treat to GBV survivors.

“End of the year is a time to show love and to show that we care especially to vulnerable members of the society,” said CEE-HOPE executive director, Betty Abah on the motivation for the event.

She added: “We know that the times are hard. We thought that this was very important for us to bring survivors of GBV together, for us to have a good time with them, to share their stories, to listen to therapist, to have massages, make-up and be gifted with clothing and business grants. This is more so because this demography are not within the consideration of most people to show love at around this time as our patriarchal society tends to make them invisible most times. We are extremely grateful to Nneka Obiekwe, our partner from the USA,” she said.

Ms Obiekwe, the founder of Vanede, a US-based NGO, encouraged the survivors to be strong and believe in themselves. She said they don’t need anything or anybody to validate them. She reminded them that God has already given them the power and inner strength to be whatever they want to be.

She said: “When you are someone who believes in yourselves, men who are abusive will not even be attracted to you.”

She added: “It’s very important that no matter what the condition is today, that you’re already start seeing yourself tomorrow. That’s the most important thing for me, that you have what it takes, that you don’t need anybody to validate you.

“All the sadness and shame that you feel can be healed when you start to stand up and start to move with the level of independence and power that God put inside of you. It’s the power that will change your life.”

She also has some words for men: “Teach your sister, your daughter and friends, teach them how important it is to to find that power in themselves at an early age. It’s that power that brought me here. It’s my father’s lesson that brought me here that said I have to make sure that my fellow Nigerian women understand that you are a woman already. You don’t need anything or anybody to validate you. God made you exactly how you are supposed to be.”

A psychologist, Ololade Awaye from the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) spoke on taking care of one’s mental health. She said if one’s emotional health is faulty, it will affect relationships, career and business.

She explained that for healing to take place, it is important to to talk to someone who can be helpful. She said healing is possible, but warned that it is not a straight line.

Jennie Nwokoye, founder of Clafiya who brought her team for the free medical screening, also spoke to the women on the need to take care of their health and general wellbeing.

Several of the survivors also spoke up on their experiences as well as appreciation of the gestures. One of them, Faith Ogbonna from Makoko community and CEE-HOPE GBV ambassador, narrated her experiences as a survivor of child sexual abuse. She was also the masseuse who provided massages at the event.

The clothes were donated by Zephan Co, owned by Nkiru Achukwu and bras by Intimately Mine Lingeries, both luxury brands owned by Nigerians.

Nneka’s husband, Mr. Saheed Badmus was at hand to give her moral and logistics support.