The Braimoh Empowerment Foundation (BEF) has called for increased public awareness of non-financial empowerment to enhance participation in community health outreaches and sensitisation programmes.
Ahmed noted that expecting financial or material handouts at community programmes discourages participation in activities focused on healthcare, education, and information.
He observed that some residents become disappointed or frustrated when they attend outreaches and find that money or material items are not distributed.
He added that some beneficiaries who receive free medical treatment still request additional financial assistance.
“This makes it challenging to mobilise people for community outreaches, particularly medical outreaches, awareness campaigns, and sensitisatioAhmed stated that empowerment should encompass not only financial assistance or material support, but also access to healthcare, education, and information that can improve lives.d improve people’s lives.
“Some information you receive during these programmes cannot be bought. He urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to clearly communicate programme objectives during invitations and community mobilisation, using language that residents, especially at the grassroots, can understand. sroots, could understand.
He said this approach would help manage expectations and enable residents to recognise the benefits of various interventions.
Ahmed explained that the foundation’s medical outreaches include screening residents to identify those needing treatment, with medications provided based on medical needs.
He added that the foundation mobilises professionals, including doctors, laboratory scientists, engineers, and technologists, to support its community interventions.
Regarding education, Ahmed said the foundation’s back-to-school initiatives involve working with teachers to identify pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and providing them with educational materials and financial support.
He explained that the foundation was established as a family initiative to uphold the humanitarian values and lessons their father imparted, with members contributing resources and time to support underserved communities. called for stronger government collaboration with grassroots organisations, saying their proximity to communities placed them in a position to identify vulnerable people and help direct interventions to those who needed them.
He said local organisations understand the challenges facing their communities and can help government reach individuals who might otherwise be overlooked.
