VEF to distribute sanitary pads, educational materials to 7,000 schoolgirls in Imo

Over 7,000 girls across 10 schools in Imo state will be handed sanitary pads and writing materials by the Vestal Egbukole Foundation (VEF), a non-governmental organisation founded by Ikenna Egbukole.

On Monday, VEF flagged off its ‘Caring for the Girl Child Initiative’ which “aims to empower female students across Owerri zone (Imo East) with essential hygiene products and educational support”.

Egbukole said in a statement that the initiative, which began in 2019, has embarked on several life-changing programmes including Female Entrepreneurship Scheme which “provided N120,000 each to 20 women to grow their businesses”.

“The Foundation in collaboration with Eze Mitchell Egbukole Foundation (EMEF) was founded in honour of late Ugoeze (Lady) Vestal C. Egbukole, whose legacy and commitment to providing succour to the less privileged in Egbu Community of Owerri-north LGA of Imo state, was described by many as second to none,” the statement reads.

“In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, VEF supported 100 women in Egbu Community with N5,000 each to ease financial hardship.

“Later in 2020, VEF held the end-of-year support program in Owerri-north, benefitting 250 women each with N5,000 cash gifts, VEF t-shirts, bags of rice, groundnut oil, tomato paste, milo, milk among other items.

“In 2021, the program expanded to 600 women across the three LGAs of Owerri federal Constituecy (Owerri-north, Owerri-west and Owerri-Municipal), providing also N5,000 cash gifts, VEF t-shirts, bags of rice, groundnut oil, tomato paste, milo, milk, demonstrating our commitment to empowering women and strengthening communities.

“Because of our commitment, we have on the first quarter of 2024 doled out N55.4million to 59 youths across the federal constituency. Many of them are doing well in their various businesses.

“In continuation of the scheme, we are reaching out to 7,000 female students in ten schools in Owerri zone which comprises 9 LGAs, through our new pet project, ‘Caring for the Girl Child Initiative’.

“We are not only distributing menstrual pads to the students, we are helping them, through our top-notch medical team, to have a better knowledge of menstrual hygiene and healthy living.

“Indeed, many girls face challenges, especially when it comes to accessing sanitary pads or other hygiene products for their personal care.

“Some people even miss school because they are on their period, but this shouldn’t be the case. That’s why we are providing sanitary materials, both disposable and reusable, to help out.

“We are also providing notepads and pens to support and encourage their education. We will continue to do more, God willing.”

Eze Mitchell Egbukole, traditional ruler of Egbu community, thanked God for “His faithfulness and blessings to the royal family”.

He said the idea was to contribute in alleviating the sufferings of the masses, recalling several other “life-changing programmes” the family has so far embarked upon.

The five-day school tour commenced with Akabo Girls Secondary School Ikeduru and Obazu Girls Secondary School Mbaitoli, and will end with Girls Secondary School Amuzi, Aboh-Mbaise; and Eziudo Girls Secondary School, Ezinne Ihitte; with experienced medical practitioners like Ezinne Ikemenanwa, Ossi Chidiebube, among others.

Other schools visited by the team were Egbu Girls Secondary School Owerri-north, Imo Girls Secondary School Owerri-north, Ikenegbu Girls Secondary School Owerri-Municipal, Bishop Lasbery Girls Secondary School Owerri-west, Imerienwe Girls Secondary School Ngor-Okpala and Girls Secondary School Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise.