The Family Strengthening Programme works to prevent child abandonment by providing support to community children, empowering their families and developing the capacity of their communities through Community Based Organizations to take future action in responding to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children within their respective communities. FSP works directly with families and communities to help them to effectively protect and care for their children, in cooperation with local authorities and in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
Nigeria has family strengthening programmes six communities in Nigeria, namely: Ejigbo of Lagos State, Ishaga of Lagos State, Sasa of Oyo State, Owu-Ijebu of Ogun State, Gwagwalada of the Federal Capital Territory – Abuja, Kaswan-Magani of Kaduna State, and Zawan of Plateau State.
The programme has empowered over 6, 000 children from over 1, 000 families in Nigeria.
Ejigbo, Lagos State
The FSP in Ejigbo started in 2011 and currently has 1,700 children participants from 353 families. These participants are being provided educational, medical and economic empowerment support. Ejigbo also hosts the first SOS Social Centre, built in 2004 to empower women towards preventing child abandonment. The centre has trained over xxx men and women, and currently offers training in the following areas: hat making, soap making, tailoring, etc. the centre also has a medical clinic that offers preventive and curative medical services to the community and neighboring communities. The clinic partners with relevant government agencies and NGOs to strengthen the health system in the community.
Ishaga, Lagos State
The FSP in Ishaga started in 2008 and currently has 280 children participants from 66 families. These participants are being provided educational, medical and economic empowerment support.
Sasa, Oyo State
The FSP in Sasa started in 2011 and currently has 1202 children participants from 233 families. These participants are being provided educational, medical and economic empowerment support.
Owu-Ijebu, Ogun State
The FSP in Ijebu started in 2008 and currently has 216 children participants from 37 families. These participants are being provided educational, medical and economic empowerment support.
Gwagwalada, FCT
The FSP in Gwagwalada started in 2008 and currently has 273 children participants from 49 families. These participants are being provided educational, medical and economic empowerment support. Gwagwalada also hosts the second social centre in Nigeria that empowers women towards preventing child abandonment. The centre offers training on sewing, soap making, etc. and has trained over 1000 men and women form the community. The centre also has a medical clinic that offers primary health services as well as support the health centres in the communities to provide quality medical services.
Kaswan-Magani, Kaduna State
The FSP in Ishaga started in 2011 and currently has 1080 children participants from 273 families. These participants are being provided educational, medical and economic empowerment support.
Zawan, Plateau State
The FSP in Ishaga started in 2008 and currently has 1230 children participants from 256 families. These participants are being provided educational, medical and economic empowerment support.
