Mirabel Centre

Mirabel Centre: Journey so far

JULIET OLUMUYIWA-RUFAI CENTRE MANAGER, MIRABEL CENTRE.

It has been remarkable and phenomenal working at the Mirabel Centre. I have learnt quite a lot, and gained in-depth understanding and skills in relating with traumatized people.   Though it is emotionally disturbing to hear and see people whose powers were violently taken from them through events that are not of their making, it is re-assuring to know that Mirabel Centre has been very supportive. This is evidenced in the appearance and attitude of the clients after accessing available services at Mirabel Centre; they are usually happy and thankful. You can hear a client say, ‘I never knew that such centre and humanitarian services exist in Nigeria.’

From left; Jeff Ansell, Justice For All Programme; Fagboyo Margaret, DFID Regional Program officer; Risikat Akiyode Perm. Sec Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Lagos State; Dr. Bob Arvot Nat, Prog. Manager J4A and Mrs. Itoro Eze-Anaba, Managing Partner, Partnership for Justice at the event, in Lagos.
From left; Jeff Ansell, Justice For All Programme; Fagboyo Margaret, DFID Regional Program officer;
Risikat Akiyode Perm. Sec Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Lagos State; Dr. Bob Arvot Nat, Prog. Manager J4A and Mrs. Itoro Eze-Anaba, Managing Partner, Partnership for Justice during the launch of Mirabel Centre in Lagos.

OLAORE I.O. (NURSE/MIDWIFE)

It has been so good all the way, though the ordeal has been emotionally tasking but I have been most glad for being on ground to give in my best practice for the traumatized clients. It gladdens my heart to see them medically cared for and fit to move on
with life. My nursing care has indeed been “ service to humanity” courtesy of Mirabel Centre managed by Partnership for Justice. My hope is that programmes like this will be made available for everyone here in Lagos and the whole of Nigeria to care for the needs of victims of sexual assault and rape in terms of medical and psychological aspects.

JOY ONORIOSE, COUNCILLOR

Working as a counselor at the Mirabel Centre opens you up to a lot of experiences that teach life lessons, become empathetic toward clients and helps you become more aware of the society in which we live in and various mindsets and beliefs which inform people’s decisions and choices. It is therefore somewhat comforting to know that although there are numerous unreported cases of rape and sexual assault, the very few who are able to acces help at the Mirabel Centre get the support and are better equipped to deal with their situations.

VAL PETER-NKWO

It’s difficult to put in a few words the story of my experiences at the Mirabel Centre within such a short time. I couldn’t have imagined how drastically my life would change since I started here. It has been a roller-coaster ride (literally) working at the Mirabel Centre because there have been so many moments of sadness when you hear clients sad but courageous stories and also moments of joy excitement when it’s like a light is switched on in their eyes, there is a spring to their step and they have smiles that didn’t exist before, breaking forth on their faces when they leave the centre after being attended to.
Working at the centre has made me realize fully amongst other things that one individual can make a difference by educating people (the society), friends, acquaintances, anyone about the myths surrounding rape or sex abuse and re-orientating them to know that what is wrong is wrong and that there is no justification whatsoever for rape
A lot of things are done at the centre but the most important is letting our clients know “YOU ARE NOT ALONE|”.

NGOZI OKPALA (NURSE/MIDWIFE)

It has been an enlightening experience for me these past months working at the center. I have been shocked to note
that people are sexually abused daily in our country especially female children and women. I was shocked to note that perpetrators are also known to the victims.

Above all they find it difficult to report because they are threatened and if they eventually do they are not believed and end up been victimized by the society. Therefore, I am using this medium to encourage people to access help at Mirabel Center where victims will be believed, treated with respect and strict confidentiality.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button