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Foundation empowers women in Lagos slums

Published 23 hours ago4 minute read

Inspired by the desire to uplift the most vulnerable in society, the Liberty Family Foundation (LFF), under the leadership of its Founder, Michael Liberty, has been transforming the lives of women living in urban slums across Nigeria. Through its women’s empowerment initiative, the foundation provides underprivileged women with tools, training, and support systems designed to scale up their small businesses.

At a programme held in Surulere, Lagos, the foundation’s team, led by Programme Director, Esther Bankole-Omotola, engaged with underserved women living in the communities.

The event was hosted at the Candlelight Foundation building, providing a safe and welcoming space for engagement.

At the heart of the initiative was the provision of practical support whereby over 17 women benefited, with seven receiving market stalls and trading spaces, in addition to training in branding, customer service, and the legal aspects of business ownership.

LFF, a US-based organisation that partners with local nonprofit organizations in Nigeria and other low-income countries to help alleviate poverty, has made significant impacts in communities through targeted, compassionate interventions.

“I established this foundation in memory of my mother, who spent her life giving selflessly to others,” said Michael Liberty, founder and sole proprietor of LFF. “Every woman we support is a reflection of the same strength and resilience she embodied. This work is deeply personal to me—it’s about restoring dignity and opportunity where it’s needed most.”

According to Bankole-Omotola, LFF was founded with a mission to support charitable, religious, educational, and scientific initiatives, both locally and globally. “We are guided by a vision to uplift communities. Our women’s empowerment initiative was born out of this mission and the deep personal commitment of our founder, Michael Liberty, to support and impact the lives of women residing in slums,” she said.

She added, “By equipping these women with the skills and resources they need to grow their businesses, we aim to empower them to rise out of poverty and into dignity.”

Among the success stories shared was that of Racheal, a single mother who had long struggled to provide for her child. LFF supported her by setting up a stall and stocking it with goods for sale, thereby enabling her to earn a stable income. Another is Blessing, a young caterer who lost everything after her former business partner absconded with her tools and ingredients. Relocating to Lagos Island, Blessing was unable to restart her business—until the Foundation stepped in. LFF provided her with a market stall, baking equipment, and essential supplies, enabling her to return to her trade and regain her footing.

“These are but a few examples,” Bankole-Omotola said. “Many more women have found renewed purpose through our interventions.”

She explained that LFF identifies beneficiaries by visiting slum communities and conducting interviews with women who run small-scale businesses.
“During our interviews, we ask them what specific items they need to grow their businesses. We then review their responses, make our selections, and ensure they receive the resources they requested on the day of our empowerment event,” she said.

In addition to material support, the initiative provides ongoing mentorship and guidance. “We have not yet revisited the women we recently supported, as we wanted to allow them a month to settle in and stabilise. However, in the coming weeks, we will return to monitor their progress,” Bankole-Omotola noted.

Speaking on the broader vision of the foundation, she said: “We are committed to implementing projects that create meaningful, lasting change in underserved communities. Our focus is not merely to offer temporary relief, but to promote long-term transformation through education, financial empowerment, and access to essential resources.”

Looking ahead, Bankole-Omotola outlined LFF’s plans for growth: “We intend to build more strategic partnerships, expand our volunteer base, and secure additional funding. These steps will enable us to deepen our impact and extend our reach, touching more lives not just in Nigeria but around the world. We are propelled by a simple yet profound belief: that with compassion, collaboration, and bold action, a better world is indeed possible.”

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The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
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