NEBBI DIOCESE BISHOP COMMISSIONS EMPOWERMENT CENTER FOR TEENAGE MOTHERS

Patrick Okaba

Nebbi. The Anglican Bishop of Nebbi diocese Rt.Rev Pons Ozele Awinjo on Friday commissioned the empowerment centre for teenage mothers in Nebbi Municipality.

The new generation healing and empowerment Centre for teenage mothers commissioned in Nebbi Town over the weekend  is  aimed  at  providing practical and skills oriented   ventures  funded  by the Keystone community church of Michigan USA to skill the mothers.

While commissioning of the empowerment center for teenage mothers in Nebbi town, the Rt. Rev Pons Ozele Awinjo the Anglican bishop says, teenage mothers need economic empowerment such that they are bailed out of the trauma they went through at the time of covid-19.

“The future of many young girls was ruined at the time of covid-19 that is currently unable to get back on their feet due to financial implications.  We need to empower them by skilling them in profitable ventures.” says Ozelle.

Ozele urged the government and Ngos to give more support to teenage mothers in building their capacities and empower them in sustainable income generating enterprises.

He said as  achurch leader, he is committed to  working hard to ensure that teenage mothers are given hopes  for future benefits like any other people.

  The Managing director of new generation healing and empowerment Centre who was also the former proprietor of NEBSTA College Dr. Betty Udongo P’cutho says, the Centre has the capacity to equip over 50 piloting teenage mothers who got pregnant during covid-19 pandemic but has challenges of finance to strengthen its capacity.  

 “We design  short courses  which are practical and talent based  to meet the demand of  our young girls like  hair plaiting and dressing , sandal making, tailoring, reusable pads   making and catering all geared at  installing skills”, Udongo said..

 She adds that the mothers who got pregnant before   reaching P.7 will be enrolled under the program accelerated study to allow them complete primary seven such that they could have access to join secondary schools.    

Topista Pikwo  19 years  a total orphan  who is one of beneficiaries of empowerment Centre says, she got pregnant at the age of 16 years but  her husband abandoned her without providing necessities to the baby.

  Pikwo who is doing a short course of hairdressing said she is able to buy her baby soaps and milk with the training she’s undergoing and able to get small money for medication.

 “I’m able to buy my mother food with the little money I’m  getting  as a result of this training because I can plait hairs now”, Pikwo said.