NZ earmarks P2.6M grant for single moms

New Zealand is allocating P2.6 million grant this year to fund a program that gives entrepreneurship opportunities for single mothers.

New Zealand Ambassador David Strachan said the funding proposal is already submitted for approval to their New Zealand government.

The ambassador said this is a sequel of last year’s successful project jointly organized by his Embassy, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Cebu City government.

This year, Strachan said single moms will be coached how to get into business or get into entrepreneurship.

Last year, 23 single moms from Cebu City were able to complete a five-day training on information and communications technology (ICT) skills development.

The training dubbed “Enabling solo mothers to be e-ready,” was supported by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, New Zealand Embassy, Azpired, Inc., and the Cebu City Government.

While last year’s program for solo mothers was focused more on skills building, this time Strachan said the thrust will be teaching these moms to be entrepreneurs.

He said the New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines, along with CCCI, Cebu City government and other partners will soon formally announce the launching of the program.