The Open Arms Outreach International, a Non-Governmental Organisation has said about 4,200 women and children benefited from its empowerment programmes in 2023.

Its founder, Princess Onovakpuri, disclosed this during an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

Ms Onovakpuri said that the beneficiaries cut across five states which included Delta, Taraba, Benue, Niger, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory.

She said that women and children benefited food and clothing items during the year under review.

According to her, these include footwear, beverages, food, medicines, toiletries (sanitary pads, diapers, soaps, cleaning agents) and educational materials

She also said that medical services and counselling were provided for the sick and depressed while cooking gases were provided for women with special needs in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

She added, “We also rehabilitated some homeless teenagers and supported more than 100 LEA Primary School students with writing materials in partnership with FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc.

“Communities in the five states and the FCT, where the outreach impacted on women and children include Kubwa and Baragoni both in the FCT, and Kumgbo in Taraba. Others are New Karishi in Nasarawa, Uragbsa in Delta, and Naka and Tavaku both in Benue, and One man Village in Niger.’’

According to him, the vision of the organisation is to be at the frontier of improving the lives of women and children, especially girls.

“This is done through physical and economical empowerment, healthcare intervention and creating educational programmes for improved livelihood as well as helping them to alleviate poverty.

“Also our mission is geared towards the transformation and rehabilitation of vulnerable people especially women, young girls, their families, and children in general, targeting rural areas, suburb and schools.

“We are also concerned with organising skill acquisition for them and building their capacity, which in the long run will improve their standard of living and be beneficial to their families and society at large,” she added.

(NAN)