Empowering Girls, Breaking Barriers: Empowered Girls for Christ Foundation’s Outreach to Mount Carmel Girls Secondary School, Ondo State

On January 22, 2025, Empowered Girls for Christ Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to girls empowerment, mentorship, and menstrual health hygiene management, embarked on an outreach to Mount Carmel Girls Secondary School in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State. This event marked a significant milestone in the foundation’s campaign to reach 10,000 girls in indigenous communities and secondary schools.

The outreach, which was made possible by divine guidance and providence, saw the foundation’s CEO and founder, Coach Patience Iyakwo, educate over 1,000 girls on menstrual health hygiene management and sanitation. This achievement was a dream come true for the organization, as it marked the first time they had reached out to such a large number of girls at once.

During the event, Coach Patience Iyakwo emphasized the importance of menstrual hygiene, stressing that it is a right, not a privilege. She called on the government to implement policies that protect the rights of the girl child regarding menstrual health hygiene management. Coach Patience also highlighted the need for free sanitary pads, drawing parallels with the free distribution of condoms.

Coach Patience shared her personal story of overcoming challenges, including getting pregnant in SS2 while serving as the acting head girl of her school. She emphasized the importance of determination, resilience, hard work, and faith in overcoming adversity. Her story served as a survival guide for the girls, encouraging them to uphold sexual purity, focus on their studies, and become change-makers in their communities and the world at large.

The event was well-received by the school administration, with Mrs. Oloru, representing the Principal of Mount Carmel Girls Secondary School, expressing gratitude to Empowered Girls for Christ Foundation for educating and distributing sanitary pads to their students. She appealed to well-meaning individuals, organizations, and the government to support the girl child, citing the alarming rate of absenteeism due to period poverty.

The success of the outreach was attributed to the support of Apostle Femi Lazarus, who provided a platform for Coach Patience to share her story and raise funds for the project. The foundation also appreciated the contributions of donors and supporters who have been part of their journey since May 2020.

Empowered Girls for Christ Foundation’s outreach to Mount Carmel Girls Secondary School marked a significant step towards empowering girls and breaking barriers. The event highlighted the importance of menstrual health hygiene management, education, and support for the girl child. As the foundation continues its mission to reach 10,000 girls, it is clear that their efforts will have a lasting impact on the lives of young girls in Nigeria.

Empowered Girls for Christ Foundation is a non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering girls through mentorship, education, and support. The foundation focuses on menstrual health hygiene management, sexual purity, and academic excellence.