Light Of Hope Supports Rural Women In Upper East

Light of Hope Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) working in Sumbrungu in the Upper East Region, has supported women to go into income generating activities.

Seventy-four women have been empowered and supported through microfinance and loans programmes to undertake economic activities such as basket weaving, craft work and other petty trading.

Light of Hope Foundation is a nonprofit organisation with the vision to easing the financial burden as well as improving the livelihood of rural women in Sumbrungu through entrepreneurial skills development and income generating activities.

Mr Elias Ayinbila Apasiya, the Founder of the NGO, speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at a meeting with the women at Sumbrungu on Friday, said women would be supported to plant commercial fruit trees like mangoes to generate income.

He said the poverty situation in the area was unbearable and could not be handled by only the men hence the NGO's support to the women to help them contribute to the upkeep of their families.

'We assist them financially and in entrepreneurial development to engage them in businesses that would help pay their children's school fees and feeding of the family. It also helps them to pay for their medical bills, especially with registration and renewal of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).'

Mr Apasiya expressed the desire to extend support to other communities in the municipality whenever the NGO gets enough funds.

He appealed to donor partners, other NGOs, philanthropists and institutions that are advocates for women empowerment to collaborate with them to improve the living conditions of the rural communities in the region.

Mrs Atafila Akaribo, a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to the NGO and said it had relieved them of the economic stress they had endured over the years.

'The group has given us opportunities to be self-employed through the support and training we receive,' she said.

Madam Teni Ayamga, another beneficiary, said the NGO had brought stability, peace and love in their families since they were able to contribute to their upkeep adding that it had created unity among the women in the community.

The Light of Hope Foundation was formed in 2011 to help alleviate the financial difficulties of the people.

GNA
By Anthony Apubeo, GNA