Narratives of Resilience
"These are the people behind the numbers. Their words, drawn from SEYP's official programme reports, are the truest measure of our work."
Jasmine
2021 ICSS Beneficiary // NGN 250,000 Grant Winner from Leading Ladies Africa
"I don't think I would have been able to win the pitch if not for the business training from SEYP, which included how to pitch. When I remembered to tell a story, I gained the attention of my audience."
Jasmine recalled the final judging panels during the Leading Ladies Africa grant evaluations. Confused by metrics, she decided to lead with her personal storytelling method acquired during SEYP's training. The judges admitted: "Why did you not begin with your story? You almost lost us, but for your story."
Vivian Tom
GI-TOC Survivor Empowerment Programme, 2025
"Before the internship I did not know how to identify brushes or improvise when unavailable. I did not know how to carve eyebrows with precision. I learned how to attend to customers as well as work ethics."
Vivian completed a 6-month internship project sponsored under GI-TOC's Resilience Fund. Moving from isolation to professional cosmetic application, she built standard skills in cosmetology and client service, preparing her for financial autonomy.
Moses Esther
GI-TOC Survivor Empowerment Programme, 2025
"Before this internship I saw the use of pattern draft as stress. My mentor changed my mindset and showed me how accurately it prevents excess allowance in clothing. I could not sew corsets before — now I can."
Through SEYP's structured internship mentoring, Moses learned professional apparel assembly. Guided by pattern-draft specialists, she shifted from basic alterations to designing custom corsets, launching a self-sustainable tailoring venture.
Rebecca Ekure
GIZ/SEDIN ICSS Programme for PWDs, 2024
"The sessions on creating a business plan were crucial for me. The emphasis on pitching and presentation skills boosted my confidence immensely — now I feel prepared to present my business ideas."
Rebecca was one of 68 Persons with Disabilities who completed SEYP's 30-day entrepreneurship training under the GIZ SEDIN model. The Lead Facilitator, Stella Abiru, reflected:
"At first, I thought it would be a difficult task teaching these people. But when I started, I discovered that the majority of them are intelligent — super intelligent."
Mrs. Jennifer Ero
Community Remembrance, November 2021
"With the speed at which Madam Jennifer completed this centre and the way she was putting everyone on their toes to work... we just believe that she came to Auchi to fulfil an assignment with destiny."
Reflections from an Auchi Community Member and Site Supervisor on the founding Executive Director's final project: "An assignment to help the vulnerable in this community. How else can someone do this type of work in few months and it not here to finish what she started?" The center stands today, continuing her vision.