Dehwci Powerpoint by kelliekilgore

The official launch of Dignity and Empowerment for Homeless Women and Children International, DEHWCI, pronounced (There-See)

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

DEHWCI was founded by Dr. Anita Famatta Chioke and Ms. Fatuma Sali Chioke.

DEHWCI is a 501(c)(3), a non-profit organization, registered in New York, the United States of America, and has obtained licensure to legally operate in the Republic Liberia.

Both ladies have been involved in feeding the homeless at Penn Station in New York City, and in other parts of the state.

Dr. Anita Famatta Chioke and Fatuma Chioke have been assisting women and children in New York as they do in Liberia with food items, clothing, and school supplies. On occasions, they have also hosted holiday parties. During the Ebola virus outbreak in Liberia in 2014, they were instrumental in assisting women with much needed supplies.

Both Anita and Fatuma believe in the famous words of former American President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy who said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

The humanitarian work of Dr. Chioke and Ms. Fatuma Chioke goes without saying. They are true humanitarians, using their own resources to make a difference by

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW CONT’D

As an educator at the New York City Department of Education, Dr. Chioke has seen firsthand the devastation caused by homelessness on in school-aged children.

Because the eradication of homelessness is so dear to her heart, Dr. Chioke decided to write her dissertation on “The Impact Of Homelessness On Public Education: Can New York City Do More For Students That Are Homeless And Or Highly Mobile? She gave recommendations/ solutions to curb the problem of homelessness, an alarming and escalating trend.

Upon the completion of her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Dr. Chioke and Fatuma Chioke decided to focus their attention on full-time humanitarian work, internationally assisting homeless mothers and children who are the most vulnerable amongst us. This experience has led Fatuma Chioke to pursue advanced degrees in the field of social work.

Homeless mothers and children, they too are human beings, they too are Liberian citizens, they too are global citizens, they too are breathable and have lives and should be treated with dignity and respect.

If homelessness is a significant concern in the West, then what about a developing country such as Liberia? Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Chioke is an expert in the field of homelessness. Her academic work is being used at colleges and universities in the United States.

As a result of her advocacy work for women and children, she was invited to address the United Nations at its 63rd Commencement on the Status of Women.

THE FUNCTIONS OF DEHWCI

1) Impacting the lives of homeless mothers and children through careers and education. We have several career programs.

2) Homeless mothers have the opportunity to choose from several of our career programs. E.g., Culinary Arts/Catering, Fashion and Design, Information Technology/IT, Soap Making, Nurses Assistant, Cosmetology, Electricity, Plumbing, Construction Assistant, Agriculture/Farming, Interior Design, Home Economics, and Electricity.

The Recruitment Process/ Acceptance Into Our Program

Trained Field workers are sent into slum communities to interview eligible participants for our program. Our mission of recruitment for assistance is explained. Accepted participants are invited to the office the next business day for an intake assessment by our social workers. The social workers schedule a series of workshops and counseling sessions for at least 3 months before any participant is allowed to enroll in the careers of their choosing.

The Elizabeth Boyounuh Kargeor School Of Excellence

A full day enriched academic pre-school

The school was opened to accommodate homeless mothers with childcare issues. The EBK School of Excellence enables homeless mothers to focus on their own careers while their children receive high standard education free of charge at the expense of the entity and donors.

All students in this program are first-time learners.

Clinic Day

Food Aid

Supportive Services

Pre-School Program

Meals provided 4X Daily Including Snacks

Vacation Bridge Program

Hygiene Products, Recreation Activities, and much More

Therapeutic Services Being Offered

Anger Management

Grief And Bereavement Counseling

Group Counseling

Individual Counseling

Career Counseling

Peer Mentoring

School Supplies are provided by our generous donors

Graduation Fees Are Paid

The Statistics of Homelessness in Liberia about

women and children

According to the World Health Organization, 1.3 million people live in extreme poverty with no food or shelter. There are 106,119 women and 14,000 children roaming the streets of Monrovia. The exact numbers of children are unknown.

The

effect of homelessness on school aged children.

Mental Illness

Low Academic Performance

Grade Retention

Health Issues

Fights In School

Anger Issues

What are some of the Some Causes of Homelessness in Liberia

Lack of education

Lack of Life Skills Training

Unemployment

Sexual Gender Based Violence

Substance Abuse/Alcoholism/Drugs

Poverty

Upon Completion of our Program, DEHWCI awards the following: Graduation Ceremony Is Held Professional Diplomas Are Awarded. Career Coaches Are Available to Match Students With The Right Fit In The Business Community Who Wish To Find Employment Small Business Grants Are given To Eligible Participants.

Conversation reflection

In one of my conversations with Dr. Chioke, I asked why she decided to take on such a task which is very costly? She Said to me, “Do you know what Mr. Murray? Wealth is not my pursuit, but rather the well-being of the downtrodden and marginalized women and children.” I asked Fatuma the same question, and she said to me, “When footprints are being examined of all those who walked this earth, the inscription on yours will be remembered for the many lives outside of your family you have impacted and not by your possessions.”

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guest, global citizens, and hardcore humanitarians

The facts have been presented to you tonight, The program works. We have had 2 graduating classes. None of our participants have returned to us for further assistance. They are entrepreneurs, etc.

The program could have been kept in New York City. Instead, these global citizens decided to bring it to Liberia because the need here is great.Please dig deeper into your purses, wallets, and pockets to support this worthy cause!

Meanwhile, we have obtained 4 acres of land to build a career center and an academic high school to accommodate and provide services to more homeless mothers and children.