Here are the excepts :
Tell us about your work: how you came to work as a humanitarian and what you were doing before?
I wanted to be a Journalist and worked in a media house. I think that desire was what made me what I have become today. While nursing my desire for Journalism, I became a freelance writer with The Nation Newspaper. I have also contributed in the production of different Magazines/Newspapers.
My first voluntary service began after I had attended the Educate a Girl Nigeria workshop in Lagos. The workshop was an eye-opener to me as I became aware of too many illicit behaviours bedevilling the girl child around the world such as child marriage, sexual assault, violence against
I have been lucky enough to have many mentors in my life. I believe that one mentor may not be enough to guide one in all the things that one may encounter in career and life. I found mentors so valuable because usually they have been around the block and have already tackled the issues I am facing. They can tell me what to avoid as much as guide me on what I could do. All mentors are important but my best mentor, the woman who transformed my life is Mrs Juliet Kego Ume-Onyido, founder of Whole woman Network.
»»What are the key projects you have accomplished?
We are supporting community-based schools in Africa and our literacy effort is playing an instrumental role in ensuring that young girls in Africa have access to education. It is an investment that will give dividends to generations unborn. Globally, enormous progress has been made in closing the gender gap in primary education over the last 20 years.
This year, we have mentored and empowered over 1000 young girls in Nigeria.
Our projects includes:
1. Social Action Project: The aim of the project is to address one of the social issue affecting our communities such as
•Access to Education for all.
•Sexual Assault
•Violence against girls
2. A Day with a Girl Child: To ensure a better future for our girls. They will have to be shaped and properly guided. The A Day with a Girl Child project is mainly for children between 6-13 years old. The program involves:
•Career Talks,
•Educational Discussions
•Mentoring and Quizzes.
3. Community Outreach: This project is mainly for the street children and the Less privileged children. It includes...
• School Empowerment for female students
• Back to school/ enrolling at least 1 out of school girls in school.
An education inspection of the
educational system reveals that many pupils finished their schooling without being able to read. Therefore, we shall focus on both the quality of education and enrolment rates because we know that educating girls has tremendous multiplying effects on families and societies.
.
»» What does Volunteering look like to you?
With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer to help people. However, the benefits of
voluntary services are enormous.
Through volunteering, one can find friends while reaching out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance in career. Helping others can also help protect one's mental and physical health.
I’ve come to believe that anyone can do this “Volunteering” anywhere.
»»What is your long-term goal?
Dr. Thomas Dooley, US Navy Physician once said, “Dedicate some of your life to others. Your dedication will not be a sacrifice. It will be an exhilarating experience because it is an intense effort applied toward a meaningful end.”
My ultimate goal is to contribute to the improvement of girl-child education in Africa and to put a stop to issues militating the development of the girl child, such as sexual assault, violence against girls and child marriage. My dream is to locate those gifted young girls who deserve a chance to education but may not be able to get near it due to lack of funds.
I would very much like to be in a position where I could do something to make that dream a reality. As my life moves forward, I want to see thousands of girls having their future aspirations fulfilled.
»»Where do you see Hope for African Girls Initiative (HAGI) in 5years time?
In five years time, I want to see HAGi impacting more lives and bringing succour to underprivileged girls. I want to see thousands of girls, having their aspirations fulfilled. I desire to see more development partners, partnering with HAGi to ensure full realisation of our set goals.
I desire to see HAGi being at the fulcrum, championing a campaign against child marriage & other violence against young girls.
What’s your advice to young people who want to make a difference but aren’t sure of how?
“There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions in a way that serves the world and you.” - Richard Branson.
You must not wait until you become affluent before you impact people. Successful people always focus on the positive side even when they know challenges are inevitable.
Start with small steps. I did not magically start speaking to young people all at once. I started with trainings, and conferences. But that is not even strictly a requirement to get engaged. Helping a less fortunate individual by sharing your food or your time is a good start. Also volunteering in outreach programs and participating or joining in school and community-based organizations could help. But educating one’s self and caring sufficiently enough to really know the other person’s concerns are keys to engaging and making a difference. After all, the world may be vast but we are really just connected invariably and inevitably. “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” —Pablo Picasso
I wanted to be a Journalist and worked in a media house. I think that desire was what made me what I have become today. While nursing my desire for Journalism, I became a freelance writer with The Nation Newspaper. I have also contributed in the production of different Magazines/Newspapers.
My first voluntary service began after I had attended the Educate a Girl Nigeria workshop in Lagos. The workshop was an eye-opener to me as I became aware of too many illicit behaviours bedevilling the girl child around the world such as child marriage, sexual assault, violence against
I have been lucky enough to have many mentors in my life. I believe that one mentor may not be enough to guide one in all the things that one may encounter in career and life. I found mentors so valuable because usually they have been around the block and have already tackled the issues I am facing. They can tell me what to avoid as much as guide me on what I could do. All mentors are important but my best mentor, the woman who transformed my life is Mrs Juliet Kego Ume-Onyido, founder of Whole woman Network.
»»What are the key projects you have accomplished?
We are supporting community-based schools in Africa and our literacy effort is playing an instrumental role in ensuring that young girls in Africa have access to education. It is an investment that will give dividends to generations unborn. Globally, enormous progress has been made in closing the gender gap in primary education over the last 20 years.
This year, we have mentored and empowered over 1000 young girls in Nigeria.
Our projects includes:
1. Social Action Project: The aim of the project is to address one of the social issue affecting our communities such as
•Access to Education for all.
•Sexual Assault
•Violence against girls
2. A Day with a Girl Child: To ensure a better future for our girls. They will have to be shaped and properly guided. The A Day with a Girl Child project is mainly for children between 6-13 years old. The program involves:
•Career Talks,
•Educational Discussions
•Mentoring and Quizzes.
3. Community Outreach: This project is mainly for the street children and the Less privileged children. It includes...
• School Empowerment for female students
• Back to school/ enrolling at least 1 out of school girls in school.
An education inspection of the
educational system reveals that many pupils finished their schooling without being able to read. Therefore, we shall focus on both the quality of education and enrolment rates because we know that educating girls has tremendous multiplying effects on families and societies.
.
»» What does Volunteering look like to you?
With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer to help people. However, the benefits of
voluntary services are enormous.
Through volunteering, one can find friends while reaching out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance in career. Helping others can also help protect one's mental and physical health.
I’ve come to believe that anyone can do this “Volunteering” anywhere.
»»What is your long-term goal?
Dr. Thomas Dooley, US Navy Physician once said, “Dedicate some of your life to others. Your dedication will not be a sacrifice. It will be an exhilarating experience because it is an intense effort applied toward a meaningful end.”
My ultimate goal is to contribute to the improvement of girl-child education in Africa and to put a stop to issues militating the development of the girl child, such as sexual assault, violence against girls and child marriage. My dream is to locate those gifted young girls who deserve a chance to education but may not be able to get near it due to lack of funds.
I would very much like to be in a position where I could do something to make that dream a reality. As my life moves forward, I want to see thousands of girls having their future aspirations fulfilled.
»»Where do you see Hope for African Girls Initiative (HAGI) in 5years time?
In five years time, I want to see HAGi impacting more lives and bringing succour to underprivileged girls. I want to see thousands of girls, having their aspirations fulfilled. I desire to see more development partners, partnering with HAGi to ensure full realisation of our set goals.
I desire to see HAGi being at the fulcrum, championing a campaign against child marriage & other violence against young girls.
What’s your advice to young people who want to make a difference but aren’t sure of how?
“There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions in a way that serves the world and you.” - Richard Branson.
You must not wait until you become affluent before you impact people. Successful people always focus on the positive side even when they know challenges are inevitable.
Start with small steps. I did not magically start speaking to young people all at once. I started with trainings, and conferences. But that is not even strictly a requirement to get engaged. Helping a less fortunate individual by sharing your food or your time is a good start. Also volunteering in outreach programs and participating or joining in school and community-based organizations could help. But educating one’s self and caring sufficiently enough to really know the other person’s concerns are keys to engaging and making a difference. After all, the world may be vast but we are really just connected invariably and inevitably. “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” —Pablo Picasso
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