JUNE 2, 2023- BENIN CITY, EDO STATE. On June 2nd, 2023, with support from Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), five beneficiaries of Project RISE participated in a free legal clinic by two of our lawyer facilitators which informed and educated them on the type of free legal services available in Edo State and where to access them; securing a legal identity via means of identification: birth certificates, voters’ card, national identification number, international passports, etc.; securing child support from ex-spouses for their children; their legal rights, as outlined in Nigeria’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition law; and sexual and gender-based violence.
Following the training, the OUR Project RISE beneficiaries, along with beneficiaries from other projects (77 total), expressed gratitude to PJI for the opportunity to be better informed and empowered on the subject matter. Refreshments and a transportation stipend were also provided. Thereafter, on June 21, 2023, we conducted a surprise food drive for our OUR beneficiaries as a way to provide humanitarian support for them and their family members. Each beneficiary received rice, beans, sachet tomatoes, bar soap, detergent, toothpaste, spaghetti, tea, and milk, pampers (for nursing mothers), groundnut oil, red oil, deodorant, garri, mixed spices, a carton of noodles, clothing and a transportation stipend. Each beneficiary expressed delight and joy, noting that the items will go a long way in catering for their essential needs, particularly in light of Nigeria’s current economic hardship.
‘Project RISE’ is funded by a grant from OUR, to which we are grateful. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are Pathfinders Justice Initiative’s and do not necessarily reflect those of OUR. To learn more about our work, email info@pathfindersji.org.
