Right after the COVID-19 pandemic, I began venturing into outreach programs in the Niger Delta creeks. One thing I’ve come to realize is that each community has different problems. And it’s important that I tackle these problems strategically with innovative approaches.
For instance, the Niger Delta creek is a wide wet land with tons of rivers, streams, ponds, and swamps that cut through many communities. This means that you can’t compare some of their problems to other communities with dry lands. Not to talk of how remote the communities in the Niger Delta creeks are.
Reaching these communities has always been by boat. As much as the idea of traveling by boat sounds fun, it can quickly escalate into something fearful, especially for people with no experience. But still, I made my way to visit these communities alongside the Roli Mabo Foundation team.
- Innovative Approaches I Took During My Outreach Programs At The Niger Delta Creeks
- Conclusion
Innovative Approaches I Took During My Outreach Programs At The Niger Delta Creeks
So, The Roli Mabo Foundation and I visited a couple of communities at the Niger Delta creeks. These communities include the Jakpa, Ugbege, Gbokoda, Daloeketa, Ekekporo, Ayide, and Ologbo communities. Here are some innovative approaches taken in my quest to foster humanitarianism:
1. Encouraging Basic Education
Deep in the rural areas of Delta state, a crisis was unfolding. For years, children had been missing out on the basic education they deserved. In fact, many had never even set foot in a school before. I had to know what was holding them back. Was it the distance to school? The lack of resources? The crowded classrooms? As I explored the issue, I discovered that it was a perfect storm of challenges.
School Boat System
Some children lived in places that were hours away from the nearest school, requiring them to board boats just to get there. In swampy and riverine areas, we knew that transportation was a major obstacle. That’s why The Roli Mabo Foundation and I set up a school boat system – boats specifically provided for school children to transport them to school. This reduced absenteeism and eliminated excuses for not attending school.
Hiring Private Teachers to Support Government Teachers
Kids who made it to school often had to deal with overcrowded classrooms with understaffed teachers. No wonder many were struggling to learn. I knew that every child deserves basic education, and I was determined to make it a reality for them. So, I came up with a game-changing solution: hiring private tutors to support the government teachers.
Think of these tutors as superhero sidekicks, amplifying the amazing work of government teachers. They provide individualized support, answer questions, and help students master tricky concepts. We also made sure that their work was seamless by providing easy transportation for them to and from the communities.
Taking Advantage of NYSC
But I didn’t stop there. The Roli Mabo Foundation and I also brought in National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to assist in the community schools. They brought fresh ideas and served as role models for the students.
The results have been astounding. Students are thriving! They’re grasping concepts faster, feeling more confident, and their love for learning is going into overdrive.
Access To Library
To take our efforts to the next level, we recently opened a new standard library in Ginuwa Grammar School and completed restructuring and renovation of school buildings in Ayide community. We’ve accomplished a lot so far and we know that with continued support, every child would have access to quality education.
2. Providing Free Access to Healthcare and Medications
Imagine children dying from petty illnesses like malaria, typhoid, and other common sicknesses that can easily be treated! In the Niger Delta creeks, this was an alarming reality. Many communities were miles away from the nearest medical facility, and getting to the pharmacy was like an added obstacle. It was clear that something had to be done.
I decided to take a bold step. I brought healthcare professionals directly into the communities, making it effortless for people to receive check-ups, consult with a doctor, and receive proper care. I wanted to break down the barriers that stood between people and their health.
In the Jakpa community, we took it a step further. We established the Roli Mabo Healthcare Center, where everyone has free access to healthcare. No more lengthy trips or uncertainty about where to get prescribed medication – everything is conveniently located in one place. And we didn’t stop there. We partnered with a pharmaceutical company to make medications free alongside healthcare.
But we didn’t stop at one community. We opened new clinics and pharmacies in other communities like Ugbege, providing even more opportunities for people to receive quality care. We conduct regular outreaches where we provide health evaluations in rural villages. These outreaches have proven to be incredibly effective.
We’ve extended our health evaluations across several communities and villages, including Jakpa, Ijaw, Ilaje, Ologbo, and Itsekiri. Through these frequent medical outreaches, we’ve consulted over 11,000 patients across various age groups. We also detected some serious cases, including tuberculosis and patients in need of surgery. And we’ve been able to provide prompt assistance in treatments, with all cases turning out successfully.
We plan to further expand these outreaches in 2024 across other communities moving forward.
3. Setting Up Clean Water Systems
Traveling through these areas, one thing that really caught my attention was the lack of access to clean water. In Daloeketa, the situation was particularly severe, with women and children having to trek long distances just to fetch water from a contaminated river.
I can remember my initial visit to Daloeketa and feeling overwhelmed by the hardships they were enduring. However, I was resolute in my determination to effect change. Thus, the Roli Mabo Foundation embarked on the task of establishing a clean water system in Daloeketa.
Working closely with the community leaders, we devised and implemented a solution that would serve them for years to come. We provided training to residents on maintenance and repair techniques, equipping them with the necessary skills to ensure the smooth operation of their new water system.
The outcomes were truly remarkable. Suddenly, clean water was readily available and the women and children no longer had to endure long treks to access clean water. The foundation didn’t just provide Daloeketa with a basic necessity but wholly gave them the opportunity to lead healthier and more enriching lives. As we press on, our commitment remains unwavering in making clean water a reality for numerous other communities in need.
4. Construction of Boardwalk and Infrastructure Building
Another thing I noticed as we kept engaging with these communities, is that the roads posed a significant challenge. Many were just mud tracks, and it was evident that action was necessary. So, we took on the task of constructing boardwalks and building infrastructure.
One of our most recent projects involved constructing a 2km boardwalk in Ekekporo village. The villagers had been struggling to move through the muddy paths, highlighting the urgent need for a boardwalk. Collaborating closely with the community, we designed and built a road that connected them to the outside world.
Our efforts didn’t end there. We also focused on family community housing projects. We constructed new homes for teachers and missionaries, offering them a secure and comfortable place to reside and work. This not only enhanced their quality of life but also allowed them to concentrate on their vital roles within the community.
Then there was the school in Ayide. Despite being in a state of disrepair, I recognized the potential in its students. Working alongside the community, we revitalized the school, restructuring it entirely. The result? The school came alive again with new students enrolling to learn in the school.
5. Empowering Communities Through Palliatives and Grants
I understood the importance of meeting the basic needs of the communities. That’s why the Roli Mabo Foundation introduced a program to provide palliative food, aiming to bring relief to those who were struggling to make ends meet. Our focus was on children and families in riverine areas like Ologbo, where access to food and resources was limited.
We distributed over 3,000 food packs to individuals and families in need, bringing joy and hope to those facing hardships. It may have been a small step, but it was a great help and comfort to their struggles.
Our efforts didn’t end there. We also recognized the importance of access to energy, especially in communities without electricity. That’s why we supplied solar power banks, solar lamps, and provided solar charging centers to those communities. This gave them a more effective and safe source of light in place of the traditional ones and also enabled them to charge their devices to stay connected.
The Roli Mabo Foundation also established a grant program, offering support to people of different age groups who wanted to start their own businesses or pursue education.
Through these grants, we’ve witnessed young entrepreneurs starting their own businesses and students pursuing their educational goals with confidence. The palliative food program has brought relief to those in need, while the provision of solar power and grants has opened up new avenues for growth and development. As we continue to serve these communities, we have a lot more in store and we’re excited to see the great transformation these innovations would bring to underserved communities.
Conclusion
Looking at the approaches The Roli Mabo Foundation and I have collectively used in our outreach programs, one can see that we’re not simply applying temporary fixes to problems. Instead, we’re actively seeking out innovative solutions that will have a long-lasting impact on communities.
We’re not just about providing aid, but also on empowering individuals and communities to thrive. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made so far, and we’re eagerly anticipating great things the future holds.
So, what are your thoughts? Do my approaches to these outreach programs inspire you? Do you have any ideas for new projects that could truly make a difference in the lives of others?
I’d love to hear from you! Let me know in the comments below. Who knows, your idea might just be the solution a lot of communities have been waiting for in Africa.