Justice and Human Rights Nigeria Project #64864

Leadership Initiatives Students Creating Change

by Leadership Initiatives

Project Report | Oct 28, 2024
From Surveys to Workshops!

By Gabby Zeidler | Youth Programs Director

Samantha, Rory, Macie, and Erin in the International Advocacy Internship Program have spent the last few months deeply immersed in the rich culture of northern Nigeria, forging meaningful connections with their Project Coordinator, Auwal. Through this experience, they are gaining invaluable insights into the unique challenges faced by individuals living in rural communities, particularly regarding their human rights and access to essential services.

Recently, the team has been assigned a focus area of Education, concentrating on understanding how the lack of Girls' education affects the Birshi Gandu community. They have created a comprehensive report on the lack of Girls' education, which has been well received by the leaders of the Birshi Gandu community. This report serves as a foundation for their ongoing advocacy work, underscoring the importance of addressing this critical issue to promote equity and justice.

Currently, Samantha, Rory, Macie, and Erin are developing a community advocacy survey designed to collect essential data from community members. Gathering this data is crucial in northern Nigeria, where understanding the specific needs and experiences of the community can significantly influence human rights initiatives. By giving community members a voice, the team aims to ensure that their concerns and needs are at the forefront of any advocacy efforts.

In the coming months, the data collected from this survey will be instrumental in shaping the team's first advocacy campaign, which will be tailored to the unique requirements of the Birshi Gandu community. By focusing on the insights gathered from the community, the team hopes to create targeted strategies that will effectively address the lack of Girls' education and promote greater awareness and action for human rights.

Your support of Samantha, Rory, Macie, and Erin and their dedicated work is crucial to the success of this project and the community's overall well-being. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and commitment to empowering these interns as they work to make a meaningful difference.

On behalf of everyone at Leadership Initiatives, thank you for your continued support. If you would like to get more involved or learn about additional ways to assist, please contact our Executive Director, Marshall Bailly, at mbailly@lichange.org. Your engagement is invaluable to us!

Sincerely,

The Leadership Initiatives Team

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Oct 22, 2024
Your Impact on Leadership Initiatives' Work

By Jessica Bailly | Chief Operations Officer

Dear Leadership Initiatives Donor,

We are thrilled to update you on the outstanding progress of our teams in the International Internship Program and the tremendous impact they are having on the communities of Bauchi, Nigeria. Thanks to your support, these dedicated individuals have been working tirelessly to build relationships and collaborate with local partners to address critical issues.

In the International Business Internship Program, our teams have partnered with 51 small business owners in Bauchi to streamline operations and enhance their long-term sustainability. Through regular Skype calls, they’ve formed strong working relationships with local entrepreneurs, tackling challenges together. Currently, they are developing business branding kits, complete with names, logos, and advertising materials, that will help these businesses register with the federal government and attract more customers.

In the International Public Health Internship Program, our teams have been deepening their understanding of pressing community health challenges such as tuberculosis and under-immunization. Meanwhile, in the International Advocacy Internship Program, teams are addressing critical social issues like corruption and human trafficking, working closely with our Bauchi project coordinator to learn and devise actionable solutions.

A major milestone is currently underway as our teams are preparing to conduct the first-ever community baseline surveys in Birshi Gandu, Doka, and Sabon Layi. These communities have never before been surveyed to assess their needs, and this groundbreaking effort will provide invaluable insights into local challenges. For the first time, the residents will be directly involved in identifying the issues they face and collaborating with our teams to address them. The information gathered will serve as a foundation for developing community-centered workshops focused on public health and human rights, ensuring solutions are locally relevant and empowering.

None of this would be possible without your incredible generosity. Your contribution is making a real, lasting difference in these communities. We’d love for you to stay involved and continue to help us grow our programs. If you have any suggestions, questions, or would like to explore more ways to support, please feel free to reach out to our Executive Director, Marshall Bailly, at mbailly@lichange.org.

Thank you once again for your unwavering support. Together, we are transforming lives.

With deep appreciation,

The Leadership Initiatives Team

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