Becheve, a community in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River is an eight hours drive from Calabar the State Capital but it is stuck with an age-long bizarre culture.Becheve: Where Girls Are Sold Into Marriage For Debts Settlement.
Becheve, a community in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River is an eight hours drive from Calabar the State Capital but it is stuck with an age-long bizarre culture
Covered with thick vegetation, Obanliku sits on a mountainous terrain thousands of meters above sea level. Behind the cloudy terrain are the heart-wrenching stories of young Becheve girls sold into marriage in exchange for goats, food items, and in settlement of their parents’ debt.
Becheve is a large community in Obanliku with 17 tribes. Despite sharing location with popular Obudu Cattle Ranch and Resort which attracts tourists from across the world, men in this community have refused to give up the ancient custom.
The ancient custom is called ‘Money Marriage,’ and the victims are called ‘Money Woman’ of ‘Money Wife.’
Becheve girls are sold into ‘Money Marriage’ for cash as low as N10, 000. Food items like tubers of yams; livestock like goats and pigs – all depending on the bargaining power of the ‘groom.’
Becheve: Where Girls Are Sold Into Marriage for Debt Settlement
In some rural communities of Nigeria, particularly in parts of Cross River State, a harmful traditional practice known as Becheve continues to affect the lives of young girls. Under this system, girls are given out in marriage—often against their will—as a way for families to settle debts or obligations.
These girls, many of whom are still children, are denied their basic human rights. They are pulled out of school, separated from their dreams, and forced into adult responsibilities they are neither physically nor emotionally prepared for. The consequences are long-lasting—ranging from lack of education and poverty to health risks and psychological trauma.
This practice is not just a cultural issue—it is a violation of human dignity and a major barrier to achieving global development goals like gender equality and quality education.
Faith Clinic Foundation: Driving Change Through Education
The Faith Clinic Foundation is actively working to challenge and transform this harmful tradition. Recognizing that education is one of the most powerful tools for change, the foundation focuses on empowering vulnerable girls and their families through:
Access to Education: Providing school support, materials, and scholarships to keep girls in school.
Community Awareness: Educating parents and community leaders on the dangers and long-term effects of child marriage and debt-based unions.
Skill Acquisition Programs: Offering vocational training to families and young women, helping them become financially independent and reducing reliance on harmful practices.
Advocacy and Partnerships: Collaborating with local leaders, organizations, and stakeholders to promote laws and policies that protect children’s rights.
A Future Worth Fighting For
Ending practices like Becheve requires collective effort. It demands awareness, education, and the courage to challenge long-standing traditions that harm the most vulnerable.
Faith Clinic Foundation believes that every girl deserves a future defined by choice, education, and opportunity—not one determined by debt.
A Long-Term Project Requiring Collective Financial Support
Ending the practice of Becheve is not a one-time intervention—it is a long-term commitment that requires sustained effort, strategic planning, and consistent financial support.
The reality is clear: harmful traditions rooted in poverty cannot be eliminated overnight. They must be replaced with better opportunities, stronger systems, and continuous community engagement.
Faith Clinic Foundation has therefore designed this initiative as a multi-phase, long-term project focused on lasting impact rather than temporary relief.
Our Long-Term Strategy
1. Continuous Education Support
We aim to sponsor and support vulnerable girls from primary education through secondary and, where possible, higher education.
This includes:
School fees
Learning materials
Uniforms
Mentorship programs
Education is not a one-time gift—it is a journey that must be sustained over years.
2. Community Transformation Programs
Changing mindsets requires time and trust. We will continue to:
Organize community dialogues
Engage traditional and religious leaders
Run awareness campaigns
These efforts ensure that change is accepted and sustained within the community.
3. Economic Empowerment for Families
To eliminate the root cause—poverty—we will:
Provide skill acquisition training
Support small businesses
Empower mothers and guardians financially
When families are economically stable, they are less likely to resort to harmful practices.
4. Rescue and Rehabilitation Support
Some girls are already affected. Our long-term plan includes:
Identifying and supporting victims
Providing counseling and reintegration support
Helping them return to school or learn a skill
Why Collective Financial Support Matters
This project cannot succeed through individual effort alone. It requires collective responsibility.
Every contribution—no matter how small—helps build a future where no girl is traded for debt.
Transparency and Accountability
Faith Clinic Foundation is committed to:
Proper documentation of funds
Regular impact reports
Clear communication with donors and partners
Your support will not only be appreciated—it will be accounted for and transformed into measurable impact.
An Invitation to Partner for Change
We invite you to become part of this life-changing mission.
Your support can:
Keep a girl in school for a full academic year
Train a family in income-generating skills
Fund awareness campaigns in rural communities
Help end the cycle of Becheve permanently
Together, We Can End Becheve
This is more than a project—it is a movement for justice, dignity, and hope.
With your collective financial support, we can:
Replace harmful traditions with opportunity
Restore dignity to affected girls
Build stronger, educated communities
Project Budget Overview ($30,000)
To successfully implement this long-term initiative aimed at ending the Becheve practice through education and empowerment, Faith Clinic Foundation has developed a carefully structured budget totaling $30,000.
This budget is designed to ensure maximum impact, transparency, and sustainability.
Detailed Budget Allocation
1. Education Support – $12,000
Providing continuous education for vulnerable girls:
School fees (multiple beneficiaries)
Books and learning materials
School uniforms and supplies
Mentorship and academic support
Impact: Keeps girls in school and prevents forced marriage.
2. Skill Acquisition & Family Empowerment – $6,000
Helping families become financially independent:
Vocational training programs
Starter packs for small businesses
Support for mothers/guardians
Impact: Reduces poverty—the root cause of Becheve.
3. Community Awareness & Advocacy – $4,000
Changing mindsets and cultural practices:
Community outreach programs
Workshops with local leaders
Awareness campaigns (print, radio, local events)
Impact: Drives long-term behavioral change.
4. Rescue & Rehabilitation – $3,000
Supporting already affected girls:
Counseling and emotional support
Reintegration into school or training
Emergency assistance
Impact: Restores hope and dignity.
5. Project Management & Logistics – $3,000
Ensuring smooth execution:
Transportation to rural communities
Coordination and field operations
Monitoring and evaluation
Impact: Ensures the project runs effectively.
6. Media, Documentation & Reporting – $2,000
Maintaining transparency and visibility:
Impact documentation (photos, reports)
Donor updates and communication
Digital awareness content
Impact: Builds trust and accountability.
Total Budget: $30,000
Flexible Giving Opportunities
Donors can support at different levels:
$50 – Provides learning materials for a child
$100 – Supports a girl’s education for a term
$500 – Funds skill training for a family
$1,000+ – Sponsors multiple beneficiaries or programs
Your Support Matters
Every dollar invested in this project is a step toward:
Ending child marriage linked to debts
