In the bustling city of Lagos, it’s very common to find women who are struggling to make ends meet. Some of them are uneducated and lack the skills to secure a stable livelihood.
Today, Iya Magazine is pleased to introduce Mrs. Deborah Uduak Ajayi, a resilient and compassionate woman dedicated to empowering underprivileged women through skills acquisition, mindset development, and financial support.
Background
Deborah is a native of Eket Local Government in Akwa Ibom State. She spent her early years in her village before relocating to Lagos State. Reflecting on her childhood, she said,
“From a young age, I discovered that I possess a deep sense of compassion and an unwavering desire to pursue a career in medicine.”
However, life took her on a different path. She obtained a BSc in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management and a Masters in Management Sciences from the Lagos State University.
Not everyone is born with a silver spoon; it’s the journey from adversity to achievement that defines our resilience and shapes our character. When Deborah observed the immense struggles of some women, especially single mothers and widows, in their quest to provide for their children, she decided to support them by sharing food items like rice, beans, garri, etc.
Initially, her beneficiaries were primarily individuals from her local neighborhood. However, in 2017, she formalised her charitable efforts by establishing the Infinite Help Women Empowerment Centre.
InfiniteHelp Women Empowerment Centre (IWEC)
The organisation started with the distribution of 5kg of rice and groundnut oil to women during festive periods. Over time, health awareness campaigns and various training programmes were introduced. Reflecting on the journey, Deborah said, “When we began, we were just three like-minded women with the goal of helping others. Today, we have over 250 registered members.
it hasn’t been easy, but compliments motivate me to keep pushing on
“We organise skills acquisition programmes to empower women and young girls. After the intensive training, participants receive interest-free loans to start up their businesses. We also collaborate with medical professionals to organise free medical screenings and check-ups.”
A notable project under IWEC’s umbrella is IMADE (I Can Make a Difference Early). The project is aimed at empowering female students with skills. Deborah envisions a future where these empowered girls become financially independent. She also believes that it would minimise the vulnerability of the girl child in terms of early marriage and other forms of sexual exploitation.
Government support
IWEC works in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation of the Lagos State Government. It stands as one of the grassroots initiatives that is touching the lives of women and young girls.
When asked about projects that were completed successfully, she said, “One of our high points was when we partnered with the Lions Club to train students at Anthony Village Secondary School. The collaboration reached students from five schools and we gave them books and other school items. On another occasion, we distributed food items to over 350 women as a show of love and support.”
Challenges
In the early days, the organisation encountered direct opposition from sceptics who dismissed their objectives as deceptive. Undeterred, they persevered until the tangible impact of their outreaches became evident and changed the perception of the skeptics.
“Back then, during our campaigns, we met some women who said we shouldn’t take pictures of them because they believed we were using them to extort money from the government. We explained our intention to empower them with different skills, and some of them mocked us. However, when they saw that we were supporting those who learned the skills with capital to start up their businesses, more people became interested.
“IWEC has financially supported over 1,000 women and girls. At some point, we noticed that some beneficiaries were abusing our financial empowerment scheme. For example, after we gave them a substantial sum of money to start a business, some of them squandered the funds and returned to ask for further empowerment.
“When we observed such attitudes, we established new rules and regulations regarding financial empowerment. Now, we exclusively provide interest-free loans to women with existing businesses and ensure they repay the money within a stipulated time frame.”
Fulfilling moments
According to an unknown author, the true measure of success lies not in wealth amassed but in the lives positively impacted along the journey. When asked about the impact of the organisation, Debbi said, “Since we started, we have touched the lives of over 5,000 women and girls.
“Through the skills acquisition programmes, we have trained tailors, hair stylists, makeup artists, bakers, etc. Sometimes, I receive compliments like, ‘Thank you ma, for bringing this programme to our community. Before, I was jobless, but today, the story is different.’
“Honestly, it hasn’t been easy, but such compliments motivate me to keep pushing on.”
Beyond her grassroots efforts, Debbie has a vision for broader societal change.
In her interview, she urged the Nigerian government to invest more in agriculture and the establishment of local industries. Her advocacy stems from the belief that these sectors can be potent catalysts for economic growth and empowerment.
When asked the secret to her success in managing the organisation, she acknowledged the unwavering support of her family, friends, and church members.
Beyond financial empowerment, IWEC helps women who are experiencing domestic violence, depression, marital issues, etc.
In conclusion, Debbie expressed her vision for a world where poverty among women is eradicated, and she believes this can only become a reality through concerted efforts across every sector.
