Strong Together: Elderly Women raising Teenage Girls in Semi-Urban Communities

Roots of Care, Seeds of the Future

Initiative Overview

In many semi-urban communities across Oyo and Ogun States in Nigeria, elderly women—particularly mothers and grandmothers—have become the last line of protection for teenage girls. Due to widowhood, separation, migration, or abandonment, these women often carry the full responsibility of caregiving without stable income or support.

Based on our direct engagement with teenage girls, we have observed that many of their mothers and caregivers struggle to meet basic needs due to limited skills, physical strain, and the absence of spousal or family support. Yet, these women continue to hold families together under extremely difficult conditions.

This initiative brings together SHE ’n’ MORE (Oyo State) and GreatGold Impact Foundation (Ogun State) to support elderly mothers raising teenage girls through practical livelihood skills, mentorship, and peer support. By strengthening the women who already protect girls, we reduce vulnerability to exploitation, early pregnancy, and survival-based decisions, while restoring dignity, economic agency, and hope.

The project will be implemented simultaneously in Oyo and Ogun States using a shared framework, demonstrating how women-led, cross-state collaboration can create meaningful and scalable impact.

The Problem

In semi-urban Nigeria, elderly women raising teenage girls face:

Extreme economic vulnerability and unstable income

Physical strain due to age and lack of employable skills

Sole responsibility for school fees, food, healthcare, and daily care

Increased risk that girls under their care may drop out of school, experience abuse, or enter transactional relationships

Although these women are pillars of resilience, they are rarely supported with livelihood opportunities or caregiving resources. When caregivers are overwhelmed, girls become exposed, and the cycle of poverty and harm continues.

Goal

To strengthen the economic stability and caregiving capacity of elderly mothers raising teenage girls, while creating safer, more supportive environments where girls can grow, learn, and thrive.

Target Audience & Reach

Direct Beneficiaries:

30 elderly mothers / caregivers raising teenage girls

Indirect Beneficiaries:

30 teenage girls (ages 12–18) under their care

This pilot is designed as a scalable model that can be adapted to other communities and states.

Core Activities

1. Livelihood Support for Elderly Mothers

Participants will be clustered based on chosen skills

One-day intensive vocational skills training per cluster

Provision of small livelihood starter kits for each participant

Basic financial literacy, savings guidance, and reliance on social capital

Emphasis on dignity, sustainability, and independence

2. Caregiving & Adolescent Support Sessions

Group sessions for mothers focused on: Raising adolescent girls

Communication, protection, and emotional support

Safe, guided mentorship conversations for teenage girls focused on:

Self-worth

Education

Life choices

3. Peer Support & Mentorship

Formation of small peer support groups among mothers

Encouraging shared learning, accountability, and emotional support

Follow-up mentorship and supportive supervision for 6 months

Beneficiaries will receive structured monitoring and guidance for the first 3 months post-training

Collaboration Model

This is a parallel, two-location collaborative initiative:

SHE ’n’ MORE (Oyo State)

GreatGold Impact Foundation (Ogun State)

Each partner will:

Lead community engagement and implementation in their state

Facilitate training and mentorship activities

Document stories, lessons learned, and progress updates

Both partners will align on goals, use a shared implementation framework, and publish regular initiative updates on World Pulse using #StrongerTogether.

Innovation & Element of Surprise

Shifts focus from only “saving girls” to strengthening the elderly women already protecting them

Integrates livelihood support, caregiving, and mentorship into one model

Elevates under-heard voices through cross-state collaboration and storytelling

Potential Impact

Short-Term Outcomes

Improved income stability for elderly mothers

Reduced stress and isolation among teenage girls

Meaningful Impact Beyond Outputs

Girls remain in school and avoid survival-driven risks

Mothers regain dignity, agency, and community voice

Stronger intergenerational bonds that protect families long-term

This initiative contributes directly to peace, protection, and sustainable livelihoods for women and girls.

Monitoring & Documentation

Monthly initiative updates on World Pulse

Participant tracking and reflection notes

Photos, success stories, and lessons learned shared transparently

Regular progress and financial reports to the funder

Use of Funds & Budget Breakdown (USD 1,250)

(Free community venues will be used)

Livelihood Starter Kits – USD 800

Starter kits for 30 elderly women based on chosen skills

Training & Facilitation Materials – USD 300

Printed guides and session materials

Local transportation for facilitators and follow-up visits

Communication & Support Costs – USD 150

Phone calls, coordination, and follow-up mentoring

Why This Matters Now

When elderly women are supported to stand strong, entire families and communities stabilize. By investing in mothers and grandmothers, we protect girls, preserve dignity, and plant seeds for a more peaceful and secure future.

This initiative is rooted in a simple truth: lasting change begins where care already exists.

This is a collaborative initiative between SHE 'n' MORE and @greatgoldImpactfoundation