No fewer than 100 ex-sex workers and former drug addicts selected in the Misau Local Government Area of Bauchi State have benefited from skill acquisition and the distribution of business starter packs by Better Life Restoration Initiative (BERI).

The beneficiaries who were picked from different joints in Misau are young adolescent girls whose education was truncated and turned to drug abuse and commercial sex work as a means of livelihood.

One of the beneficiaries, Khadija Abubakar (not real name), while speaking at the graduation of the life skill acquisition organised by BERI’s Gender Equality Fund Project, funded By The Global Fund in Misau on Tuesday, said that the Organisation has changed her life.

“I know what (drugs) I was drinking and smoking, but thank God, I have turned a new leaf. I am now trained, empowered, and enlightened to be my own business manager,” she said.

“I wish to settle down as a woman, but the challenge of stigma is still there.

I never believed I could be among the beneficiaries of this training, but I thank BERI for the opportunity.”

The Project Manager, BERI, Nkem Ogbonna, explained that the training was part of the Gender Equality Fund Project, where adolescent girls are targeted for means of livelihood and life skills.

According to him, the project targeted Misau and Shira local government areas, where 200 young women were selected last August for the training.

“We categorised them into different training sections based on their skills. Some of them were trained in shoemaking, throw pillows, beads, food vendors, and bag making. What we did was to teach them literacy and numeracy for they to know how businesses are effectively managed.

“We facilitated their financial literacy and bank opening process. Some of them were trained in Point of Sales business, and a machine and capital fund were given.

“Our joy is seeing them out of their former status and now ready to be their own employer and contribute to the Nation’s economy.”