Amakon Women Empowerment Inc. (AWE)
Empower Women – Enrich the World – Change Lives
Amakon Women Empowerment Inc. (AWE) helps disadvantaged women and youths emerge from poverty by providing them access to relevant success enhancing tools.
Our Story
Amakon Women Empowerment Inc. (AWE) was born out of the desire to help disadvantaged women and girls escape poverty and succeed. We researched and examined some of the drivers of women impoverishment. One that readily jumped at us was lack of education which results in lack of opportunities which led to poverty which further perpetuated lack of education. This vicious cycle is likely to keep repeating itself unless it is broken.
Our question then was “How do we break the cycle?”
We needed to go down to the lowest denomination. Basic education which is the foundation for future success. Our next question was:
“What factors deter and preclude women and girls from attaining good education?” The answer was varied and situational. However, some that stood out included: Lack of opportunity & access to success enhancing tools, & various dysfunctions in the home, the people & the environment.
Empower Women – Enrich the World – Change Lives
Our Results
Many pregnant, parenting and at-risk addicted youths have remained and completed high school due to our effort in providing laptops, food, baby supplies and other benefits. This not only benefit the students involved but also the City, Province, Country and Humanity at large.
Many of the women who completed our Free Computer Skills Training have found employment, advanced in their employment, been better able to understand and help their kids with school work, and be better integrated into their communities.
Our Financial Literacy program delivered in conjunction with the Free Computer Skills Program has helped many female Newcomers learn about the Canadian Banking System. This enables them to invest wisely. Please watch the videos
Free Computer Skills Training. Employment Facilitation. High School Completion. Computers to Facilitate Learning. Food to Reduce Hunger and Expedite Learning.
Meet Our Board
We promote women’s success by providing underprivileged and disadvantaged women and girls access to success enhancing tools.
Dr. Jane Ekong
Why I Am Part of Amakon Women Empowerment Inc’s (AWE) Board
Hi, I’m Dr. Jane Ekong, the Founder/President of AWE. I am excited and thrilled every time I think of AWE and its impact on the lives of disadvantaged women and youths.
Imagine a Teen-Mom with a month-old baby, having to drag her baby on the bus to the Public Library during winter, to use computers there for her school assignments. Imagine another Teen- Mom who is provided computer access, so she can learn and complete her assignments at school. Which of these Teen Moms is more likely to complete high school?
Think of a youth who was kicked out of school due to addictions, theft, gang membership, prostitution, etc. Imagine this kid having a second chance at a school with Social Workers, Addiction Counselors, a low Teacher/Student ratio, breakfast and lunch, transportation to and from school, computers to learn and complete assignments, and Elders to guide and encourage. Many such kids at this school beat the odds and complete high school.
Envision how women and girls in Shelters could feel if they were able to upgrade their computer skills and thereby increase their probability of securing employment when they exit the Shelter. Think of new Canadians who need improved computer skills to gain employment, become more fluent in English so they can communicate and contribute more appropriately to their communities.
These are the people that AWE serves, and to whom it provides the described benefits. It is making a huge difference in the lives of women and youths. I am very proud and delighted to be associated with AWE. I like its compassion and generosity. I treasure its underlying message to the disadvantaged and the overlooked. The message says: “You are not alone. We see you. We hear you. We care about you. We are here for you. We want you to succeed. We want you to know that you count.” How cool is that?
Chinagorom Ali
I am a proud board member of Amakon! It was not too long ago when I heard Dr. Jane speak passionately about her vision of encouraging and supporting women in vulnerable circumstances. I felt those words perfectly described my dreams too. I wanted to do something to contribute to make that vision a reality.
As a female immigrant myself, I am aware of the personal challenges that newcomers experience when they move to this amazing country. Language, culture, finances, and employment are just a few of the potential barriers to their success. It is very exciting to be part of an organization like Amakon. We provide support and training to help women improve their skills and boost their confidence. All of the new skills, equipment and confidence building lead to seeking better employment opportunities and furthering their educational pursuits and overall future success.
AWE provides free computer skills training to disadvantaged women, computers and laptops access, and food to disadvantaged youths in high school. These items could be easily taken for granted by many high school students who can afford them. But for those who can’t, they make the difference between success and failure, between completing high school or dropping out. Furthermore, helping disadvantaged women, female immigrants and youths gain access to these necessities in a modern world, is like laying a foundation for their future success. This is one reason why AWE is a wonderful charity.
Kris Schoenhofen
Hello, my name is Kris Schoenhofen. I am a very proud board member of Amakon Women Empowerment Inc. in Regina, Saskatchewan. I have been involved with AWE for the last few years and am inspired to serve as a volunteer for this organization.
I am happy to be part of a group of people that wants to help disadvantaged women and youth in our community. I also strongly support the values of respect, integrity, honesty, compassion and teamwork that Amakon has established.
Taanna Zakir
I am excited to be a part of Amakon Women Empowerment Inc. (AWE). As a teacher, I am aware of the barriers that some families face, especially new comers and other marginalized women. I am passionate about helping such women and youths rise above those barriers so that they can live to their full potential.
Through the Free Computer Training course, AWE is empowering women and youths to take their future into their hands. It is helping disadvantaged women know that they do not have to be defined by their circumstance but that they have the power and the resiliency, if they persist through the course, to rise above the barriers.
AWE is administered by a dedicated group of volunteers who work very hard everyday to make resources available to support the women and youths that we serve. This is why I am with this charity, and I am doing the little that I can to bring about a more egalitarian world for all women and youths.
