ERAF is a non-profit foundation that has been helping women find employment in Nigeria since it was established in 2001. Founded by Erelu Angela Adebayo, the organization’s mission is to assist and rehabilitate women and their families and to empower women and young girls as it teaches them to become self-reliant. Among its many charitable programs, there are two that are designed specifically to help women, widows, and older teenagers learn the skills needed to find employment or start their own small businesses. Through a combination of job training and micro-loans, women in areas with high unemployment and HIV rates are learning the skills they need to provide for their families.
The organization is run by a board of five prominent women, including two doctors, who have dedicated themselves to meeting the needs of each family in a holistic manner. Evaluation and training is provided in sustainable job skills tailored to the needs and situation of each woman seeking help. Training is also provided to older teenagers, many of whom have become the sole caretakers of their younger siblings. Since the areas targeting by ERAF are places of high unemployment and HIV rates, there are additional programs to care for the immediate needs of families. Scholarships are provided for orphaned and vulnerable children to attend school, as well as feeding programs to deal with severe wasting and malnourishment.
The current board consists of the following individuals: Erelu Angela Adebayo, serving as Chairman; Dr. Anita Kemi DaSilva-Ibru, who holds a Master of Public Health from John Hopkins University, Dr. Olusola Bob-Egbe, the Medical Director of Faratori Eye Center; Mrs. Ronke Okusanya; and Agatha A. Johnpaul, serving as Programme Officer. Funding for the different programs comes entirely from philanthropists and donors and processes are in place for both internal and external supervision of the various projects undertaken by ERAF.
