Grace Udeme Emmanuel, a 22-year-old mother of four from Eket, Akwa Ibom State, who was reported to be feeding her children with chicken feeds due to extreme poverty, has received life-changing support from the wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.
The governor’s wife intervened after Grace’s plight went viral on social media, thanks to the daughter of the farm owner where Grace worked.
In response to the distressing situation, Pastor Eno initially provided a lifeline of N500,000 to Grace, which sparked a wave of additional support from concerned individuals and organizations.
Uduak Ekong, Media Aide to the Governor’s Wife, provided an update on the efforts being made to uplift Grace and her children, including plans for her long-term empowerment.
“What caught Her Excellency’s attention, first, was what would propel any human being to consider feeding her children chicken feeds?” Ekong shared in an interview.
“Meeting her, we got to know she was pregnant at the age of 16 and dropped out when she was in SS1. She speaks impeccable English and comes across as an intelligent person.”
Grace’s story is one of hardship. After becoming pregnant at 16, she was sent out of her home and moved in with the father of her children.
Tragically, he was beaten to death after being caught stealing sweet potatoes. Left alone to care for her children, Grace’s situation deteriorated further, leading to the desperate measure of feeding her children chicken feed.
The intervention led by Pastor Eno has already made a significant difference in Grace’s life.
Her immediate needs have been addressed, with a secured and furnished room apartment for her and her children.
“She’s been given three months’ supply of food. She didn’t have anything. She got a bed, cooking utensils, a dining setup for her children to enjoy their meals. The room apartment is big,” Ekong added.
Grace’s monthly salary, previously a meager N15,000, has been increased to N35,000, thanks to the funds raised by supporters.
However, the support for Grace goes beyond just financial aid. Recognizing her vulnerability, there are plans to ensure she receives proper training in managing her income and developing skills that can provide her with sustainable income.
“We noticed she learnt how to use attachments on her own. So we will give her formal training along that skill and set up a place where she can make hair.
Additionally, we’re considering an alternative trade in foodstuff or provisions,” Ekong explained.
Before any further empowerment, Grace will undergo a mental evaluation to ensure she is in the right frame of mind to take on new responsibilities.
Following that, she will be enrolled in a skills acquisition program, and there are also plans to help her continue her education from where she left off in SS1.
“We are not just giving money and going away. We are going to provide a lot of support,” Ekong emphasized.
“The mentorship also includes tutoring her on how to manage her finances and the income she will be generating so she doesn’t waste her capital and can sustain her life.
There are plans to take her back to school and support her children’s education too.”
