The reality of living in poverty in Nigeria is harsh. It means not only material deprivation, but also the diminished life prospects that come with being poor. Heart of Sapphires International Foundation, since inception, has been able to impact lives positively and has consistently actualizes her objectives through various programs such as:
- Youths Empowerment Programme.
- “Business Funding” Grant to entrepreneurs.
- Drilling of 4 boreholes in Efue local community in Ogun State.
- Feeding of the poor during 2020/2021 Christmas and new year in Ijebu, Ogun State and Okeigbo in Ondo State.
- Feeding of widow & widowers in Lagos State.
- Sponsoring of SMEs exhibitors’ Stands at Agege Trade Fair. To mention but a few…..
Mrs Ogunusi, the CEO of the foundation during one of their programs stated that “Helping people out of poverty is one of the major priorities of the foundation, also improving skills and confidence, leading to wider life opportunities.
She said that poverty threatens not only those who live with its relentless hardships, but it also poses a real threat to a nation’s stability, social fabric, and economic future. “Children who grow up in poverty are more likely to drop out of school, also more likely to engage in risky behaviors that can lead to juvenile detention and ultimately incarceration, more reason why we have massive security challenges in Nigeria right now”.
In further butchering her point, Mr Ogunusi who is the chairman of the foundation explains how the consequences of low educational attainment in the northern part of Nigeria are too severe to ignore. He said finding effective ways to foster the academic skills and socio-emotional development of disadvantaged youths through their teenage years must be a priority in our nation’s multi-pronged attack on poverty, so as to also eradicate insecurity and juvenile delinquency.
