Students Advocating for Lasting Change

Dear Leadership Initiatives Donor,

This year, Ilesa and Cecilia, a team of dedicated interns from Team 26304, are working on a Education advocacy project in Jitar. They have already conducted extensive research and are now developing baseline survey questions to better understand how this issue affects daily life within the community.

Guided by Amira, a Leadership Initiatives Project Coordinator who is based in our field office in Bauchi, the team is collaborating with community leaders, youth representatives, and women’s groups to ensure that every voice is heard. Their goal is to listen first, learn about the lived experiences, barriers, and hopes of community members before designing any solutions.

The baseline survey that Ilesa and Cecilia are creating will serve as the foundation for an evidence-based advocacy campaign. It will gather firsthand information about community knowledge, beliefs, and priorities related to their topic, helping identify where awareness is strong and where gaps remain. This allows Leadership Initiatives to design advocacy efforts that are relevant, measurable, and rooted in local perspectives rather than outside assumptions.

For many residents of Jitar, this is the first time their opinions have been formally recorded or their challenges discussed in a structured way. These surveys provide an opportunity to speak openly about issues that affect their rights, safety, and future, from access to education and healthcare to equality and governance. By sharing their experiences, community members are not just participants; they become leaders in shaping local progress.

Once the survey is complete, the team will collaborate with Amira and local stakeholders to review results, translate them into actionable insights, and design a community workshop to raise awareness and propose concrete solutions. The findings will also inform radio campaigns, posters, and educational materials created in both Hausa and English to ensure accessibility for all.

Your generosity is helping lay the foundation for lasting improvements in communities across Nigeria. Through their research, surveys, and conversations with local families, our interns are working alongside community leaders to understand the challenges residents face and identify the changes that would make the greatest difference. Together, they will help shape long-term development priorities that may include building schools, improving educational opportunities, creating safe spaces for women and children, expanding economic opportunities, and supporting community programs that protect vulnerable populations. Your donation helps turn this collaboration into meaningful action, supporting community-driven projects that strengthen local leadership, expand opportunities, protect fundamental rights, and empower families to build brighter futures for generations to come.

With gratitude,
Jessica Bailly
Director of Development

Leadership Initiatives