Herlight Child Development Foundation, alongside corporate and faith-based partners, has awarded scholarships to over 20 girls.
It rolled out new mentorship initiatives, deepening its push to break the cycle of poverty among underserved girls in Ajegunle, Lagos.
The interventions, unveiled at the sixth edition of the Teen Girl Child Conference (TGCC 6.0) themed: ‘Beyond Limits: Scripting Your Own Story,’ included N50,000 school fee grants for 20 students, two long-term scholarships spanning secondary school to university, five scholarships sponsored by LAPO Microfinance Bank, N50,000 cash awards for five teachers, and 1,000 sanitary pads distributed to participants.
Founder and TGCC Convener, Blessing Sunday, said the conference has evolved into a platform offering practical educational support and mentorship, not just motivation. She said this year’s theme pushes girls to reject limiting beliefs and take ownership of their futures, noting that ‘nobody is going to write your story for you.’
Sunday said hosting the event in Ajegunle was personal, having grown up there and witnessed teenage pregnancy, prostitution and low self-esteem driven by poverty. Having herself benefitted from scholarships through her master’s degree, she said she now feels fulfilled seeing other girls access similar opportunities.
To sustain impact year-round, she explained the Foundation is establishing school-based clubs for ongoing mentorship and career guidance. She added that over 4,000 pads have been distributed across five previous editions, with this year’s 1,000 reaching over 400 girls, alongside medical sessions on menstrual hygiene.
Sunday disclosed that scholarship beneficiaries were selected based on three parameters: academic soundness, moral uprightness, and financial need, particularly for students whose parents are struggling and need support.
She noted that past beneficiaries have completed vocational training in baking, fashion and hairdressing, with some now earning income.
LAPO Microfinance Bank awarded scholarships to five girls from JSS1 to SS2, while Adosser Microfinance Bank gave N50,000 each to 20 girls via a lucky dip for one term’s fees. Sunday also announced two full scholarships from secondary school through university,
An emotional QandA session saw JSS3 student Aisha Adebayo speak tearfully about growing up with an irresponsible father. Moved by her story, Pastor Sunday Ikwuogwu of Liberation World Ministries pledged to fund her education through university, while Bishop Dave Okpe of the Gate Keepers’ Fellowship awarded another girl a scholarship to a private university. Aisha’s mother, Ramota Adebayo, expressed gratitude, while Aisha said the support revived her dream of becoming a pilot.
Meanwhile, the guest speaker, actress Juliana Olayode, popularly known as Toyo Baby, challenged the girls to reject limiting beliefs and embrace failure as part of the journey to success.
‘There is absolutely no stopping you as long as you keep believing. Failure is a recipe for success. It is not the end of the world. We must learn from it, understand our mistakes and keep pushing,’ she said.
She also urged parents to become intentional about raising emotionally healthy children, stressing that many social problems stem from unresolved generational trauma.
‘If you bring a child into this world, you must be ready to take full responsibility. Parents should be the generation that hands over healing and not trauma to their children. Sometimes parents should learn to apologise to their children,’ she added.
76-year-old Apostle Dr. Nwanzo Wallace, a member of the Gate Keepers’ Fellowship visiting Africa and Nigeria for the first time, encouraged the girls to protect their dignity and resist sexual exploitation.
‘You are beautifully and wonderfully made. God did not make a mistake when He created you. Don’t allow anyone to exploit you because of your needs,’ he said while praying for the participants.
Also speaking, maritime professional Segun Michael, who mentored Sunday during her secondary school years through a LEAP Africa initiative that eventually earned her a scholarship, commended her commitment to giving back.
‘I am very happy that she is doing today what others once did for her. Parents also have a responsibility to put their differences aside and take proper care of their children because they are the future,’ he said.
The conference also featured an interactive panel on menstrual health, confidence and self-worth, where experts encouraged girls to understand their menstrual cycles, prepare adequately for their periods and reject the stigma surrounding menstruation. Participants were reminded that confidence could be developed through competence, positive values, healthy friendships and embracing their identity with the girls affirming: ‘My period is a blessing and I am not ashamed of it.’
Among the teachers honoured, Mrs. Okorie Rosemary Ochuko of Resonance College called the recognition motivating. Scholarship recipient Aya Nora, also of Resonance College, said the conference taught her to be confident and ‘write my own story,’ adding that the support would ease her family’s financial burden.