admin - ActionAid Community Sponsorship

Rebecca’s Story: Bridging the Gap for a Brighter Future

In the serene but isolated community of Ojogun, Rebecca serves as a beacon of hope and knowledge. As a dedicated community teacher at Our Lady of Apostles Primary School, she plays a vital role in shaping the minds of the young children in this rural community. However, the challenges she faces daily highlight the urgent need for infrastructure improvements in Ojogun.

Ojogun is situated away from the hustle and bustle of Badagry town, accessible only by a 45-minute boat ride costing 700 Naira one-way per person. This mode of transport is not only time-consuming but also expensive for the residents, who primarily rely on farming for their livelihood. The community voted during a needs assessment to prioritize the construction of an access road over other essential services such as electricity, a hospital, and additional schools. Their reasoning is clear: an access road would change their daily lives and economic opportunities.

Currently, there is a collapsed bridge and a severely degraded road that, if repaired, could allow vehicles to reach Ojogun in just 10 minutes. For the farmers, this road would mean the difference between costly and cumbersome boat rides and quick, efficient access to central markets where they can sell their produce. The current situation forces them to hire speedboats to transport their harvests across the river, followed by additional vehicle hire to reach the market, significantly eating into their profits and making the process laborious and expensive.

In addition to teaching on weekdays, Rebecca works as a hairdresser on weekends. She travels to Badagry town to style hair, earning extra income to support herself and her family. However, she faces the challenge of high boat ride transportation costs. Rebecca dreams of a future where she and her community can easily access Ojogun, providing a cheaper and more affordable alternative to the expensive boat rides.

Rebecca’s story is a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of the Ojogun community. The construction of a functional access road is not just about convenience; it is about transforming lives. It will enable farmers to transport their goods efficiently, increase their income, and boost the local economy. It will ensure that teachers can reliably reach the school, providing the children of Ojogun with the education they deserve.

admin

Gabriel’s Journey: A Story of Endurance and Hope

In the heart of Yekeme Community lives a resilient young boy named Gabriel. At just 13 years old, Gabriel has faced more hardships than many endure in a lifetime. He lost his mother when he was only one, and two years later, his father passed away as well. His father’s sister, his loving aunt, took him in, but tragedy struck again when she passed away when Gabriel was just six. For the past seven years, Gabriel has been living with his uncle, his father’s brother, who has provided him with the stability and care he so desperately needed.

Gabriel is currently in Primary 4, a testament to his perseverance and determination. Despite the challenges life has thrown at him, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of education. But Gabriel’s journey to school is fraught with difficulties that would daunt even the strongest of adults.

In a recent needs assessment conducted in Yekeme Community, the residents prioritized their needs as electricity, followed by a school, then a hospital, and lastly an access road. Gabriel’s voice was among those who participated in the vote. For him, a school in the community was the most critical need. Every day, Gabriel embarks on a one-hour trek to reach his school. By the time he arrives, he is often exhausted, and the journey back home after a full day of learning leaves him utterly drained.

The road Gabriel walks is not just long; it is also treacherous. When it rains, the path becomes flooded, turning his daily commute into a perilous journey. On such days, Gabriel must wade through water to return home if he’s already at school or miss school entirely if the rains catch him at home. Despite these daunting obstacles, Gabriel remains unwavering in his commitment to his education.

Gabriel dreams of a day when there will be a school within Yekeme Community, sparing him and countless other children the tough daily journey. His second wish is for a proper access road, so the path to education is safer and more reliable, regardless of the weather. Gabriel’s resilience and hope for a better future are inspiring. His strength in the face of adversity is a powerful reminder of the importance of community support and infrastructure.

Together, we can make Gabriel’s dreams a reality, providing him with the tools and environment he needs to succeed. Join us in supporting Gabriel and the Yekeme Community. Your generosity can light the path to a brighter, more hopeful future for Gabriel and his peers. With your help, we can turn every step of Gabriel’s journey into a stride toward success and happiness.

admin

A Beacon of Hope: Dorcas Dansu’s Journey of Resilience and Strength

In the vibrant community of Pashi, nestled within the Badagry LGA, lives a remarkable woman named Dorcas Dansu. A determined and enterprising businesswoman, Dorcas owns a small shop where she sells drinks, household provisions, and groceries. Her shop, brimming with essentials, serves as a lifeline for many in her community. Yet, beneath her warm smile and unwavering dedication lies a story of struggle, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.

Dorcas’s journey has not been an easy one. In a community assessment conducted recently, the residents of Pashi unanimously agreed on their most pressing needs: electricity, an access road, a health center, and a school. Electricity topped this list, underscoring a challenge that Dorcas faces every day—operating her business without a reliable power source.

Without electricity, Dorcas had to rely on a small generator to keep her shop running. The constant need to buy fuel has drained her limited profits, with the recent surge in petrol prices further crippling her finances. The high cost of fuel eats into her income, leaving little for her family’s needs and threatening the sustainability of her business.

The lack of electricity not only affects Dorcas’s business but also disrupts the lives of her entire family. The extreme heat at night makes it nearly impossible for them to sleep well, leading to restless nights and fatigue-filled days. This shared hardship extends to the whole community, where the absence of electricity has become a daily battle.

For Dorcas, the challenges don’t end with the setting sun. As darkness falls, she must close her shop early due to security concerns and the impracticality of operating in pitch-black conditions. Every early closure represents lost sales and missed opportunities, further straining her already tight budget. Despite these hardships, Dorcas’s spirit remains unbroken. She is a beacon of resilience in Pashi, embodying the strength and determination of a community striving for a better future. Dorcas continues to serve her customers with dedication, finding creative ways to keep her business afloat. Her ability to adapt and persevere in the face of adversity is nothing short of inspiring.

Dorcas’s story is not just about her struggle; it is about her unwavering hope and her commitment to her community. She dreams of a day when Pashi will have reliable electricity, when her children can sleep peacefully at night, and when she can keep her shop open late into the evening without fear.
Dorcas Dansu’s journey highlights a critical need for change in Pashi. To transform her dream into reality and empower resilient individuals like Dorcas to continue building a brighter future.

admin0 comments

THE HEALTHY TRANSITION

With her toothless grin and wrinkled skin, as testaments of the blessing of the ages, but with contagious energy and wit, “There are stories on the lips of the elder” the old lady said as she retells old memories of Kupto. During its days of lack of amenities (healthcare and water) and how it transitioned to its present state. She gave birth to thirteen children all on her own at home because there is no hospital close by at the time. However, when they eventually had one, she was part of the people that encouraged women to deliver at the hospital to avoid complications which are mostly due to bleeding in her role as a traditional birth attendant.

“This was not our original community we were by the river bank before they moved us here,” she said. “In the old one, I gave birth to my twelve children there and came and gave birth to one here; during that time, there was no hospital; when the hospital came to Bajoga, they had to take you on foot to go see the doctor but I thank God, I finished having my children without any problem and without going to the hospital. I deliver in my room; In the past, there was no hospital but when we came here, they built a maternity hospital. I was given the mandate of going around to encourage women to go to the hospital. I was a traditional birth attendant and I was asked to help women to the hospital when they want to deliver but when there is an emergency delivery, I help them deliver at home.”

Now, with a functional hospital close to them, members of the Kupto community are relieved of the stress of traveling far to access healthcare. Not only this, even women from neighboring communities such as the Fulani settlement also come to use the health facility built by ActionAid in Kupto.

“We didn’t have water in this town; we have to carry bowls to our old town where there is a stream to fetch water; we don’t have water here. Where we used to go to fetch water before now is if not up to a mile, it will be more; (struggling to tell the distance) it’s far!” She exclaimed. “When God brought these organizations, (ActionAid and Hope for the Lonely) we thank God. We have a borehole here and it is still working. Both the young and old, those in town and villages are drinking from the water” Mama added.

admin0 comments

THE LUCKY COMMUNITY

Stretching out for miles without any sign of civilization, in what appears to be a people forgotten by its government; left to fend for themselves, is Panguru. Panguru is a hard-to-reach community in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe state. The journey to Panguru in the beginning, seemed like a travel to nowhere. The land is vast, with terrains so rugged, and the ground, partly rocky and stickily muddy at the same time. To traverse this area in the rainy season, they say, is considered an act of bravery. However, ActionAid was not deterred!

Madam Victoria, as she is popularly called, the community facilitator, Panguru. She shared with so much excitement, how they ended up being a beneficiary community when ActionAid and its partners were rejected from a previous community. “I want to thank these organizations because we have benefitted a lot from them and we count ourselves lucky because the first community they went to, they were rejected, before coming to our community; which that community is now regretting now seeing all that we have gained,” she remarked.

The presence of ActionAid and its partners in Panguru has empowered the women. This was achieved through capacity-building training. in areas such as education, peaceful co-existence, household education, hygiene, human rights, and sustainable farming. “At the beginning when they came in, they taught us how to set up a cooperative and we came back and informed our community elders and we the women set up the cooperative and decided on a date that we will be meeting and we set up every Sunday. Every Sunday, we meet, deliberate, and teach. There are some books they gave to us and we use these books to teach ourselves; Women that do not know how to read and write, learned something during this period as a result of these organizations” As a result of this, we started taxing ourselves every week and ActionAid and Hope for the Lonely complemented our effort by empowering three women. Some livestock and others, groundnut for vegetable oil making. later, three more people were empowered and we continued growing and investing. They kept inviting us for a series of training in which I cannot count the number of trainings and they continued empowering us” Madam Victoria said.

To help themselves, “we were rotating the proceeds of the empowerment among ourselves every three months and were contributing money for our organization. We used the proceeds from this to buy a cow for the organization”

Also, as part of its intervention projects in Panguru, ActionAid built a healthcare facility. This facility, is only one available in the community. Without it the past, they had traveled the unpleasant terrain to get help when the need arose.

“Hope for the Lonely and ActionAid built a hospital for us in which in the past, we usually carry the sick on our heads to the neighboring towns of Billiri or Kashare even in the rains. But now that we have a hospital, things have improved; There was a time that we took a sick person on the head to go to the hospital and before we even got to the next community, the person died and we started coming back with a dead body. This was in the rain and on the muddy road that sticks up to your elbow, that time, Ponguru was almost like a forest She said. “In the past, sick persons were carried on the head but now, there is an improvement as a result of the hospital” Madam Victoria retells a painful experience.

Madam Victoria also shared how she was empowered with a cow and how it has impacted her, her family, and her household. “I was empowered with a cow. The cow is helping us. During the farming season, we use the cow to make ridges; we cannot take money to pay for a cow to do that for us because we have ours that we can use. When it is time to sell the cow, we can sell it and use the profit to buy a small one and keep it; all of which is part of the benefit; In the area of my family, when it is time to pay my children’s school fees and I don’t have money, we can use the cow to work on the farm to raise money to pay school fees, buy food and even buy some household items”

admin0 comments

Handing-over of Vocational tools to Women and Youth in Wesere

On 12^th June 2023, deliberate attention shifted to taking 12 persons out of poverty in Wesere where vocational equipment to start up economic engagement handed-over to beneficiaries. ActionAid Nigeria through community sponsorship programme fully funded the program and facilitated by partner organization HUFFPED.

The handing-over ceremony had in attendance the Chairman of the local council represented by the Secretary to the LG, counsellor, community heads, project team (AAN/HUFFPED), and the community residents.

The programme officer, Keinde Adebowale stated that the purpose for which the beneficiaries equipped beyond mere support provision. It was a deliberate effort to take residents out of poverty. List of items handed-over were:

1 power generator set, 1 hand dryer machine and wash basin handed-over to *2 hairdressers each
1 cutting machine and filling machine handed-over to *2 tillers each
Milling machine and drilling machine handed-over to *1 aluminium worker
Instant photo printing machine handed-over to *1 computer operator
A bag filled with painting tool and over-all wear handed-over to *1 painter
Full set of 4 sewing machine handed-over to *4 tailors
Full set of 1 sewing machine handed-over to *1 shoe cobbler

The SLG to the chairman highlighted some of the LRP key interventions with commendations, reassured implementing partners of the LG’s commitment to attend to community needs. Congratulation to you beneficiaries, saying with prove that AAN has done greatly than the government. We can not afford to let the project down considering the good deeds; we are only hoping that this is extended to other vulnerable communities in Badagry west. Unarguably, LRP is real and the government has not reason to doubt the project.

Mr. Adebowale (PO) is an asset, his carries AAN image. He would not let even the Chairman rest, no one could sleep with the eye closed, reminding us to represent our people well. Sincerely, community demands are still on the chairman’s table. I, however charged the beneficiaries to put a good use to the tools received because even the government since I was born has never done as much AAN has been doing to Wesere and Aivoji. The government will always remain grateful for your real act of kindness’’ Hon. Joseph Godonu said.

Bernard Ibelih (AAN communications sponsorship advisor) lightened up the component of the community sponsorship initiative with emphasis on sensitizing individual to inculcate giving as a real act of humanity all of us must practice

Adenigba Henry (ED programmes, HUFFPED) admonished beneficiaries to ensure they remain committed to the daily struggles, ensure they are able to turn the tools received to many. He praised all the contributors, and hoped for a better society with zero poverty. Yes, it is doable and remain committed to see wesere community free of poverty

admin0 comments

HEALTHCARE IS NOW JUST A STONES THROW AWAY

Kupto, a community in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe state, had no functional healthcare centre and clean water. To cater to their healthcare needs, they travel long distances to Bajoga or Tongo (the LGA centre). The people of Kupto were also left to their fate to get water from streams and wells prone to diseases before the LRP by ActionAid through Hope for the Lonely and JONAPWD. However, for quite a while now, their stories have changed for the better.

Rabi Umar, a 30-years old farmer, petty trader, and mother of five, is overjoyed about the fact that not only does she have access to clean, qualitative, and equipped healthcare at her fingertip. She is ecstatic about the fact that the facility has an abundance of water to clean after herself, contrary to her unforgettable prior experience. “For the benefit, I have to start with myself, since I have benefited. First, I came to this community when there was only the old hospital before building the new one; I gave birth to my second child here. I will not forget; when we went, they asked us to come with water because there is no water in the hospital since giving birth, it is important to wash your body before coming back home. I see the difference between this one and the old hospital. Even from the antenatal”

“There is nothing that gladdens my heart such as the lab; For a common blood test, they will tell you to go to Bajoga; some days, you don’t even have the transport fare but now, we thank God. They will run tests on you, to know what is wrong with you and there is a doctor. Even all these things are things to be proud of in addition to a clean environment unlike previously. Sometimes when you enter the delivery room, you will feel like throwing up but now, you can even eat on your hospital bed” she said.

Kupto was not only plaque by a lack of accessible healthcare but also a deficit of clean water. Without the luxury of choice, they travel long miles to the stream as they compete with their livestock for water for drinking, cooking, and other uses. This also, unfortunately, means that they will be very much exposed to waterborne diseases. Today, this is no more the story.

Rabi added: “Honestly, in the past, we have the challenge of water. Our husbands have to go to the stream to get us water that we can drink and use. In the beginning, when I came to this town, it was difficult for me but later, I had to close my eyes to drink the water; Today, we have boreholes; we are not the only ones benefitting from it; if you are travelling through this town, and you drink from it, you have also benefitted from the water. We that are in town, are benefitting from the water talk more of visitors passing by. Water is the most important of them all”

admin0 comments

HEALTHCARE IS NOW JUST A STONES THROW

Kupto, a community in Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe state, had no functional healthcare centre and clean water. To cater to their healthcare needs, they travel long distances to Bajoga or Tongo (the LGA centre). The people of Kupto were also left to their fate to get water from streams and wells prone to diseases before the LRP by ActionAid through Hope for the Lonely and JONAPWD. However, for quite a while now, their stories have changed for the better.

Rabi Umar, a 30-years old farmer, petty trader, and mother of five, is overjoyed about the fact that not only does she have access to clean, qualitative, and equipped healthcare at her fingertip. She is ecstatic about the fact that the facility has an abundance of water to clean after herself, contrary to her unforgettable prior experience. “For the benefit, I have to start with myself, since I have benefited. First, I came to this community when there was only the old hospital before building the new one; I gave birth to my second child here. I will not forget; when we went, they asked us to come with water because there is no water in the hospital since giving birth, it is important to wash your body before coming back home. I see the difference between this one and the old hospital. Even from the antenatal”

“There is nothing that gladdens my heart such as the lab; For a common blood test, they will tell you to go to Bajoga; some days, you don’t even have the transport fare but now, we thank God. They will run tests on you, to know what is wrong with you and there is a doctor. Even all these things are things to be proud of in addition to a clean environment unlike previously. Sometimes when you enter the delivery room, you will feel like throwing up but now, you can even eat on your hospital bed” she said.

Kupto was not only plaque by a lack of accessible healthcare but also a deficit of clean water. Without the luxury of choice, they travel long miles to the stream as they compete with their livestock for water for drinking, cooking, and other uses. This also, unfortunately, means that they will be very much exposed to waterborne diseases. Today, this is no more the story.

Rabi added: “Honestly, in the past, we have the challenge of water. Our husbands have to go to the stream to get us water that we can drink and use. In the beginning, when I came to this town, it was difficult for me but later, I had to close my eyes to drink the water; Today, we have boreholes; we are not the only ones benefitting from it; if you are travelling through this town, and you drink from it, you have also benefitted from the water. We that are in town, are benefitting from the water talk more of visitors passing by. Water is the most important of them all”

admin0 comments

ActionAid Built Our Only School

Hakimawa is an agrarian community. It is a community in slow transition to modern times. Like many communities, the houses are muddy, the children run around the heap of sandy surrounding with no clothes on. In Hakimawa, the people live, just to survive the next day.

Sprawling in population but stunted in progress, Hakimawa grew from 47 household in the early 1990s to 199 households at the moment. The headcount of adults above 18 are 510; the children are more in number: “children could be more because an average household have about 11 children” Hakimi Salihu Hakimawa, the Village head struggled to recount.

This community is lacking in every basic infrastructure, it has no health facility; the women give birth at home and the sick are treated with local herbs. It had no school until ActionAid built the only primary school in the community.

“When they (ActionAid and ASURPI team) visited us, we thought they were from the government, we were so happy because government people don’t come to our community, we see them just once or twice every four years. They (ActionAid and ASURPI team) asked us what our priority need is, we told them we need everything because there was nothing- no water, no electricity, no school, and no health centre but after discussing with my people, we decided to ask for education, we told them to build a school so that our children can get education. If we get education, we can get every other thing” the Village head said.

In 2010 ActionAid built the first school in the community. The excitement of having its first educational facility was ecstatic; the Village head instructed each household to send their children to school. The following day of the school opening; 107 pupils turned out. The pupils outnumbered the size of the school and the volunteer teachers at the time but they were glad they had a school to attend.

“When we saw that the population of the school is growing so much and there were not enough teachers who were qualified, we went to the government, we visited the Education Secretary, he promised to send teachers to the school and he did what he promised, he sent 8 teachers. We are only waiting for the government to add more schools to what ActionAid has already done” said the Village head.

Helping Gunguntagwaye access quality health care

Sajida Bashiru, 4 lay weak on the floor; her mother Amina, rested the child on the floor just to adjust her dropping wrapper. Sajida was rushed to the health centre on a motorbike; “she has malaria” Amina whispered to the waiting arms of the nurse on duty, they both hurried into an open office. In less than 15minutes Sajida walked out of the room with Amina wearing a wide smile.

“People can die of simple malaria if they don’t have a clinic to attend” said Karima Aliyu. Karima is the women leader of Gungun Tagwaye Community.

“Women have really suffered during pregnancy because of the lack of good health centre in the community, the former place we used as health centre was very small and people are not always going there because you cannot get medicine and sometimes nobody to attend to you” Karima recall how the community lost a pregnant mother and child from stress of travelling to a neighbouring community: “I remember we lost a woman and her unborn child because they have to travel on bad road to the nearby hospital to deliver her baby, the baby and the mother died” she sadly recounts.

The government replaced the old rusty mud health centre built by the community to a better structure but abandoned it after commissioning. The structure was unused because of lack of personnel and medication. In 2013 after request from the community, ActionAid renovated the structure, equipped the facility and also empowered community members with advocacy skills to get government attention.

“After ActionAid did the renovation of the Clinic, they also bought beds and provided medicine, then they enlightened us that we can use advocacy to bring government into our community, we decided to write and visit the General Hospital, we requested for more nurses especially female nurses which they gave us five female nurses” the women leader said through an interpreter.

admin0 comments

ActionAid provides Rice Milling Factory for Gida Agoda Community

Women in Gidan Agoda community had their role clearly spelt – Take care of the needs of their spouses, fetch firewood, make the meal, and give birth to more children. The husbands, mostly peasant farmers and petty traders were the sole providers for the household. This has continued as a tradition, leaving women as absolute dependent. The consequences are obvious; women become victims of domestic violence, social disconnection, and economic exclusion.

Wasila Hamisu, 29 recall times when women in the community rarely contribute to the economy or the leadership of the community: “Before ActionAid and ASURPI came into our community, women were left behind, we were not trading, we were not doing any business, the men beat their wives, women were not regarded much, some people think women are not suppose to have education, we were just good as house wives” Wasila recalled.

Today in Gidan Agoda, women are participants and contributors to the economy of their households and the community. “When ActionAid and ASURPI came to our community, they asked us (the women group) what we want, we told them we want to be empowered with skills so that we can farm rice” Wasila affirmed the wish was granted: “we were given milling machine”.

The women were formed into a registered cooperative and linked to the Small Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). The 50 women members of the group were trained on improving their agricultural yield and sustaining their business, they were then supported with the sum of 3 Million Naira as interest free loan of 24months for which only 70 percent was required to be paid.

The cooperative is making profits and increasing their outputs. It has increased rice production by about 60 percent, making about 30 percent in profit.

The increased economic activities of the women restored their self confidence and improved their relationships with their spouses. “Before I couldn’t look at people’s face when talking to them, I can’t interact well but now I can talk freely in public and express my mind. I never believed that in my entire life I will ever be able to travel by air and sleep in good hotel but I enjoyed all these because of ActionAid” Wasila said in an emotionally laden voice.