Our Owerri BEMORE Experience

Introduction by BEMORE Ambassador - Ekweuba Peace .U.

“BEMORE” Summer bootcamp, is a young girls initiative program set out to empower young Nigerian girls with life changing skills such as ICT, Solar, Leadership and Entrepreneurship and also enlighten them on breast cancer. This Initiative was first established in the year 2017 in the city of  Akure in Ondo State and so far has recorded the successful training of nearly 700 girls. The honourable pioneer in the person of Her Excellency Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu in her good nature also decided to push this program down to her mother land in the eastern part of Nigeria - Imo State in September 2018 to enlighten the Girl child in the east and encourage interstate development.

Anthony Uchechi K.C

This week has been an intensive and an exciting one, I have learnt a lot of things like climate change and renewable energy sources, Leadership and Entrepreneurship and Basic ICT, How to create a blog, make wig and how to carry out a breast cancer examination. I really thank God for this great summer. All Thanks to the Beety Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation (BAAF). My experience has been very educative and I am grateful for such opportunity.

Anyaegbulam Gift Nkiru

I am very happy to be in BEMORE Camp this year because ever since I was born, I have never been in any camp. This camp has thought me a lot of things I so not know. We have learn ICT, Solar Energy and Solar Cells, Weather and Climate, Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Creative Writing and Communication. This program has opened my eyes to the world. It made me to know about Microsoft word in ICT, Hardware and Software. We were also taught about breast cancer and its prevention and control. I found out that the lecture classes are very awesome and great. I thank God for making me witness this camp. I would love to come back to this camp next year. I am very grateful.

Ihezie Rejoice

I am very happy to get this opportunity to be in the BEMORE summer boot camp for Girls Naija because its one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve ever had. I really gained a lot from the camp which gave me knowledge of the things I never knew such as ICT, Solar Energy, Leadership/Entrepreneurship, Creative Writing, Skill acquisition (such as make up ) and Climate Change. I really benefitted a lot from the camp which I will make sure I practice and create awareness so that People in my community will benefit from me just as I benefited from the camp which was organized by a caring mother and a role model who wants the best from the young girls of this generation. I believe with my newly acquired knowledge, I will do exploits in my generation.

Nnadi Blessing

At BEMORE Girls camp Owerri sponsored by our mummy Her Excellency Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, I have experienced so many things which I never knew existed. For example the existence of Solar Energy. It was my first time learning about Solar Energy and other forms of Renewable Energy. I was also taught about the components needed in its constructions and the procedures. I learnt so many useful life changing lessons. Example, I was taught about Leadership; How to be a good Leader, Awareness of breast cancer and how to be a good computer operator and of course our awesome music class. I will not forget to mention our skill acquisition class. I hereby declare that the BEMORE camp experience is indeed life changing for me and I heartily thank our mother for creating this one in a life time opportunity for me.

Ihezie Nancy

I am very happy to be a participant of the BEMORE summer bootcamp. I learnt about breast cancer and its control and also self-examination every month. I know how to be a good and exemplary leader and also how to create and market my product or service. I have learnt how to creatively write and communicate my message with others. I also learnt how to operate a computer. I learnt about climate change for the first time, its effects and how I can combat it. I can now proudly boast as a young girl who have the knowledge of Solar Energy. I can now build a solar oven without buying kerosene. I can make make my beads without buying from elsewhere. My BEMORE Experience was a very fantastic one which I would never forget because it has made me to become a good and dependable citizen of my country. I thank Her Excellency for bringing this great opportunity to Owerri to benefit myself and other young girls. May God bless her, Amen.
I was full of surprises when I came to the BEMORE camp. I observed that the facility was beautiful and very conducive for learning. All thanks to the First Lady H.E Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. These are invaluable experiences which money cannot buy. I am indeed privileged to have this opportunity that many other girls don’t have. Thank you for the opportunity to write this letter to express my gratitude to my big mummy, the First Lady. She is indeed an exemplary first lady because of her kind heart.

Destiny is Undeniable

A short story created by the Owerri BEMORE Girls as part of their practical session for creative communication.

Once upon a time there was a girl called Ella, a native of Alaoma Village. Together with her parents – Mr. and Mrs Nneka Obi they lived in a happy family. However, Ella’s parents were poor and couldn’t send her to school. Ella’s parents had only one means of livelihood which was farming. Ella finally resolved that she will shape her future. She decided that she must go to school to become useful in life like other successful men and women she knew who also became successful after periods of hardship.

One faithful day, she went to a nearby school and was peeping through the window. Then the teacher in that class saw and called her. She asked her why she was there, so she explained all that she has been going through and how she has decided resolved to pursue an education. The teacher accepted her and gave her three weeks to pay her fees. But it wasn’t that easy for her, then on the third week when she was meant to pay the fees, she went to school on a Thursday but on getting there, the teacher sent her back to get her fees.

This really hurt her because they were to write an exam on that day. She was depressed and as she was crying on her way home, she heard a news that her parents had been killed by hired killers. She felt very terrible and down even confused; she didn’t know what else to do. Because she was the only child, she now became an orphan. After the burial of her parents, her father’s brother and his wife took her and stared treating her like a slave.
Her immediate relatives were very wicked towards her and her siblings.

Her uncles were very greedy. One day, they decided to send her out of the house so that they could inherit all her father’s properties. They took everything from Ella and her siblings but what they couldn’t take from her was her intelligence and her skills. She was a very good singer and also dances very well, so despite everything that they tried to discourage her, she never gave up. Ella was determined to conquer in order to achieve her destiny.

One she was walking on the street when a girl saw her and told her about a program going on in Owerri called BEMORE summer boot camp, then she decided to go and witness the camp. Although she didn’t have a good education background, she was naturally brilliant. When she got to the camp, she was very attentive in class and was able to learn despite the fact that she was behaving like a village girl without education, she still did well from the little experience she had in school that she once attended for three weeks.

When the camp was about to close, they were given an exam to write based on what they had learned there but nobody knew the plan of the first lady - who organized the camp – for the person who comes first in the exams. It was very surprising to everyone that Ella came out the best especially in the music and dancing competition that they did. Her performance was so awe – inspiring that she was given a scholarship from JSS 1 till completion of her university education.
She graduated ten years later, did her masters and finally became a very popular and famous musician. She soon got married to a medical doctor and they were blessed with two kids and lived a happily ever after.

NOTE:

In the story we tried to put into practice what we learned in the creative writing and communication class which are the 3 main elements of story writing – Character, Theme and Settings.
Our main character in the story is Ella
The theme of the story is Tragedy and Happiness
The settings include Alaoma village, farming (which represents occupation and livelihood)

The Opportunity

...A short story created by the BEMORE Girls as part of their project for the Creative Writing and Communication class

Image Source; Covenantgroup.com

Precious was born in Ilaje, Ondo state to an average family that lived a simple life. Her father, Mr Kunle Ajibola, works as a civil servant at the Ministry of Education. While her mother, Mrs Tina Ajibola works as an English teacher at the Aunty Ayo Secondary school just a stone throw from their home. She is 16 years old and loves to read, write and sing. Precious is known to be brilliant. Her mother talks about how she started reading at the age of 2. It’s no wonder reading became her hobby even as a teenager. She has always been the best in her class all her life and now being in SS3, she was preparing for her WAEC examinations. 

But things took a bad turn for Precious when her father died. Her mother, who missed lots of school periods after her husband’s death lost her job as a teacher. She then hawked bread in the mornings and cooked rice in the evenings to make ends meet. The financial downturn in the family caused precious to drop out of school.  She was so depressed and felt sad. Her friends consoled her and told her that everything will be fine.

Hawking goods

After dropping out, Precious decided to support her mother in order to save some money and cater for her brothers. She sold akara to the neighbours for 5 months. During this time, she passed through a lot of mockery by her school mates but she didn’t give up. She had an end in mind. Whenever she felt down, her mother’s words ‘hardwork pays’ rang in her ears.

One day while hawking, she wanted to cross the road and she was hit by a car, she fell down and her pieces of akara spiralled all over the road and some fell into the dirty gutter channels filled with stagnant smelly water. Thankfully, she was not hurt, only sustained a minor bruise on her knee. A woman came out and ran towards her, lifted her off the ground into her car;

'Oh My God, Oh my God’ Jesus, I hope you’re not hurt’ She Screamed

They got into the car and she laid her on the chair.

‘Thank God you’re not hurt’ Oh thank God’ She heaved after a while. She gave her water and let her rest for 3 minutes.

‘What is your name my dear, and what are you doing out here instead of being in school?

Precious then narrated her story beginning from the time her father died and her mother lost her job. As she spoke, the woman observed that she was very eloquent in her spoken English which made the woman pick interest in her. She inquired further about Precious’s mother’s whereabouts and after meeting her mother and learning of their family story, she was extremely touched by it and made up her mind to help. She asked that precious be in her custody for a while. So Precious went with the woman to her house.

Days passed and Precious found out that the woman is the Special Adviser to the first lady on gender issues. On a certain day, The SA needed to go for an official meeting at the government house. So she took Precious along and introduced her to the first Lady Her Excellency Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu. She told the first Lady precious’s story and recommended to here Excellency that Precious be a part of her Excellency’s BEMORE summer boot camp being a very intelligent girl. 

Her Excellency was so impressed by Precious’s eloquence and brilliance. So she sponsored Precious’s participation in the BEMORE boot camp and also offered her a Full scholarship up to university level. The BEMORE bootcamp will empower Precious with skills that will enable her be productive and outstanding in the near future.

Precious and her family were so excited about the offer and her mother shed tears of joy. Her Excellency invited Precious and her mother to the government house to give the official letter of scholarship.

‘Thank you your excellency’ Mrs Tina beamed, full of smiles

‘What more can I say?” She continued, ‘Ever since Mr Ajibola passed on, things has been so difficult for us. Thank you your Excellency for choosing to support a widow like me. We shall forever be grateful to you’’ She added.

Precious’s life changed from then on. She went on to study at the University of Leicester UK and graduated top of her class.

My BEMORE Experience

A popular philanthropist once said; there are two types of education, one should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live our lives’. The BEMORE summer bootcamp for girls by Her Excellency Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu is an innovative and educative program that empowers girls with skills on how to make a living and also how to live; through expository teachings that embraces both vocational and life coping skills. Like her Excellency said, it is a university of life.

So far, we have had a great time. Whoops! From early morning dances and exercises, Free books, ICT trainings, Solar Technical training, Classes on Leadership and Entrepreneurship, great food, Skills Acquisition sessions and also Creative writing/communication skills, Yoga with the first lady, etc. 

The experience is a lot to recount. But we want to attempt to describe our experience so far.

Group 1

Its very exciting being a part of the BEMORE summer camp. We heard positive live changing stories from the one held last year. It has really been a great time of learning and fun. Since we resumed this camp it has been all love and care from the matrons, we have networked and formed new friendships with the girls from other groups. Together we have enjoyed different things such as the early morning exercises. The classes are very enlightening and educative. Infact this is an experience we will never forget. Our gratitude goes to a wonderful woman, a caring mother Her Excellency Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu.

Group 2

Wow! It such an exciting time of learning and exposure to opportunities. The BEMORE Camp is the place to be. Many girls in my group liked and learnt from the different classes like the Leadership class, ICT, Solar and Entrepreneurship, Creative Writing/Communication and Blogging and the skill acquisition class. We heard of and took part in things we have never done before. We now know how to operate a computer, how to be proactive, confident and strategic as a young leader, How to couple a solar panel, how to start and manage a small business, needle work, shoe making and lots more. We really love the food and the morning dance and exercises. I particularly loved the Yoga classes with the first lady! BEMORE is Fun, BEMORE is bae. Thank you first Lady! We LOVE You.

Group 3

BEMORE! Clap, BEMORE, Clap, BEMORE clap, clap, clap (Our short anthem for appreciating the first Lady). What a fun and exciting time we have had so far. From Solar to Leadership, to ICT to Entrepreneurship, to Skills on Baking, Needle work, Shoe making and Soap making, It has been such an avalanche of fun and learning. Most of us has never been exposed to so much knowledge all at the same time. What have we done to deserve this? Our one and only digital mummy Her Excellency Arabirin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu made it possible because of her love for women and girls. Thank you Mama for this. It will never be forgotten in a hurry.

Group 4

It is indeed interesting to be here. My group members and I have learnt the true importance of timing and scheduling. We wake up at a certain time, have our classes at designated periods. This really thought us the good thing about goal setting and time management. Jogging so far has been my best sport activity, because it makes the whole body relax and one is energetic enough to face the whole day and that’s what we do every morning. After jogging and dancing, we prepare and go for classes. We have really learnt a lot on Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Solar and ICT. We now know what to do when we want to start a business, we learnt how to make a shoe, baking, needle work etc. Coupled with the entrepreneurship training it’s easy to apply these skills and make money.

Group 5

The BEMORE summer bootcamp has been filled with excitement and educative activities. I made new friends and acquired many skills and education which I am going to put into practice when I get back to my community. I have never heard about Climate Change before now. Myself and the others in my group are also hearing it for the first time and we are grateful for the book we received from Ms. Glory Oguegbu from Climate Smart Nigeria – The Year Ran Mad. We have decided to use the climate change book to educate the other students in our schools. Myself and my group members will find a way to teach others what we have learnt during this time.

Group 6

From the ICT to the solar, skill acquisition and entrepreneurship and needle work classes, I have so far learnt how to do lots of things I could not do. It is a wonderful feeling, I tell you to learn how to install a solar panel. It is expensive  I have learnt much more than I have ever dreamt of learning. The experience is very memorable. All thanks to Her Excellency Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu AKA Digital Mummy.

Group 7

Many girls in my group did not know how to operate a computer. But through the BEMORE summer bootcamp, we have learnt not only how to operate a computer, but also how to make a solar panel and solar oven. I’m really enjoying my stay here. I love the lectures. The matrons and ambassadors are very caring. I appreciate Her Excellency Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu for valuing us female children and creating this great opportunity which has transformed a lot of us. I really want to be like her when I grow up championing and advocating for the rights of women and girls. We shall never forget you Arabirin, may God almighty continue to shower more blessing on you and your family.

Group 8

Hmmm what can I say? This is one of the best experiences of our lives. Collectively my group members have had fun and learnt new skills at the same time. There’s nothing like having fun while learning. I really like the early morning exercises. I and my group members really liked the yoga exercises with Her Excellency. She is so energetic. She also lectured us on the importance of yoga exercises for our health. We learnt about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. We even learnt how to do the breast cancer check, we have been instructed to teach our mothers. We are grateful to Her Excellency for this opportunity. Most of us would never have had the chance to learn the skills we are acquiring no.

Group 9

The BEMORE summer Bootcamp 2018 has been so exciting. All thanks to our digital Mummy who stood by our side all the way. We love you Ma. We are s excited for the future ahead of us. I have learnt new exciting skills in ICT, Solar, Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Skills acquisition etc. I particularly learnt how to make liquid soap, Dettol, bead etc. I am sure to apply these skills as soon as I get home.

Group 10

In the BEMORE summer boot camp, we have had an amazing time. We made new friends and learnt solar Energy, ICT, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Creative Writing. BEMORE has thought us to be young women of substance both in intellect, etiquettes, skills technology and even hygiene; this has prepared me especially to be a great leader and a mother in the future. The camp has been so much fun and i wish it will never end. Big thanks to Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu for the life changing opportunity she has given me.

The BEMORE summer bootcamp have empowered us and we will go home loaded with new ideas and innovations.