By: Peter Emmanuel |
Mothers of children living with cerebral palsy have been encouraged to embrace entrepreneurship as a pathway to financial independence, while their children received hands-on training in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through robotics activities.
The call was made during the eighth cohort of the Empowered Mothers, Thriving Children Programme, organised by the Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation in partnership with the Special Needs Initiative for Growth in Lagos.
The programme brought together 10 mothers and 10 children for business development, financial literacy and STEM training designed to strengthen the capacity of families while expanding learning opportunities for children living with cerebral palsy.
Mothers Get Business and Financial Skills
Chief Responsibility Officer of the Let Cerebral Palsy Kids Learn Foundation, Tobiloba Ajayi, said economically empowered mothers are better positioned to support the education, wellbeing and social development of their children.
“When a mother has the knowledge, confidence and resources to build a sustainable livelihood, the benefits extend beyond her business,” Ajayi said.
She encouraged the mothers to see the training as an opportunity to strengthen their businesses rather than define themselves solely by the challenges associated with caregiving.
Ajayi also urged participants to maintain the relationships established during the programme, saying the connections could provide encouragement, referrals, shared learning and accountability beyond the training.
“Sustainable change happens when women are not only trained but are also connected to a community that continues to believe in their progress,” she said.
Founding Executive Director of the Special Needs Initiative for Growth, Racheal Inegbedion, also urged the mothers to draw on the resilience and determination they demonstrate as caregivers to build successful businesses.
“Your caregiving journey does not diminish your ability to succeed in business,” Inegbedion said, adding that the programme was designed to provide practical knowledge, renewed confidence and motivation for the mothers to invest in themselves and their families.
Participants received practical training in bookkeeping, customer engagement, business pitching, grant readiness, investment awareness and digital marketing to help them improve and sustain their businesses.
Children Explore STEM Through Robotics
While the mothers participated in business and financial sessions, their children were introduced to STEM education through hands-on robotics classes.
The organisers said the activities were designed to encourage creativity, problem-solving and practical learning among the children.
The children worked with robotics materials as part of the programme, giving them an opportunity to explore technology through practical activities rather than classroom instruction alone.
Parents were also trained on how to use STEM kits at home, with the aim of helping them continue supporting their children’s learning after the programme.
The initiative therefore combined economic empowerment for caregivers with educational opportunities for children, reflecting the organisers’ focus on supporting both mothers and their children.
Participants Pitch Businesses, Winners Emerge
The programme concluded with participants pitching their businesses before a panel of judges.
Bridget Odulana, a grandmother and caregiver, emerged as the overall winner, while Nnoli Chisom and Meshioye Adenike finished second and third respectively.
Presenting the prizes, facilitator Omowonuola Akintunde said the business pitches demonstrated the participants’ ability to develop and improve their enterprises.
“The pitches showed that every participant has the ability to build and improve a business,” Akintunde said.
She noted that although the prizes recognised the three strongest presentations, the broader achievement was that all participants left with improved financial knowledge, clearer business messages and practical steps to strengthen their businesses.
The organisers said the programme was aimed at ensuring that mothers are better equipped to build sustainable livelihoods while their children continue to access learning opportunities that support creativity, confidence and participation.
Share this
