Identifying the right empowerment scheme, the focus and determination of the people are necessary in order to lift the less privileged out of poverty, the Director/CEO of Jaiz Foundation, Alhaji Imam Shuaib, has said.
Alhaji Imam stated this last week when the foundation distributed N8 million Zakat to 263 people in Abuja.
He noted that poverty has been identified as one of the major causes of crises and unrests in the country.
He said the foundation, as part of its activities to reduce poverty, has emphasised on empowerment in all its donations “because we have seen what as little as N3,000 that we gave to someone has impacted on his life. The person came back with the sum of N70,000 the following year to support and assist others.”
“So the right and required seed capital and tools given to the right person go a long way in supporting the less privileged and subsequently reduce those in the poverty list,” he added.
While emphasising that the foundation has no affiliation with government or any political party, Imam however acknowledged the Federal Government’s Social Intervention Programme as a laudable as it seeks to assist and lift many out of poverty.
He also noted that intervention strategy works if the people themselves are focused and determined.
He said of the 263 beneficiaries, 76.3 percent were given for economic empowerment. He said 8.75 percent was allotted for resettlement and the housing needs of six beneficiaries.
He also said 7.1 percent was set aside for the educational support of 10 students; 6.56 percent for medical support, while 1.225 percent was for da’wah support.
The director/CEO said the foundation is aware of the economic hardships facing the masses in the country, which was why it deemed it important to deepen its economic empowerment, educational and medical services to the less privileged.
Shuaib further said the foundation identified the beneficiaries through groups and organizations they work with.
“We work in collaboration with different organizations and groups. We identify credible organizations that have the capacity. When we are satisfied with them, we then give them the template, and if the beneficiaries fall into the requirement of those that need the empowerment the most, will in turn do our background check to guard against nepotism; ensure that the right and deserving people are the ones selected,” he said.
Some of the items distributed included sewing machines, grinding machines, generators and deep freezers, while other beneficiaries received cash.
One of the beneficiaries, Bilkisu Kabiru, who received a grinding machine said she could not contain her joy for the gesture, noting that now she can start grinding as an economic activity that would fetch her income to support her family.
“I will start to use the engine for grinding purposes and use the proceeds in supporting my family and myself,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Simbiat Akinbola, who received a sewing machine said she trained as a tailor but did not have the means to buy a machine to do the trade but that with the receipt of the Jaiz fund gesture, she can now kick start her small tailoring business.
She appreciated the foundation for the support and prayed that they will assist more and more people to get out of poverty.
