Action For Community Development

PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL VISITS ACD

The meeting with Pathfinder International team took place in ACD Executive Director’s Office at about 10.am on the 26th of this month 2013, it started with introduction of Pathfinder International team before ACD staffs followed suit.

The meeting which lasted for about three hours, with the pathfinder representatives  Carrying out assessment in order to to know areas they will provide technical assistance. This they did so by going through our organization past and present records. which include the constitution, mode of recruitment, organogram, work plans for projects e.t.c and also commending ACD on the projects they have implemented so far and also looking at their track records both present and past, before pointing to ACD areas that they need to increase productivity.

Dr. Rene Mary Mathew, Team Leader from Pathfinder int l also called for the need for NGOs to involve community most in our projects.she also encourage that other areas should be looked into trying to integrate HIV with other areas like sanitation. if for example NGOS want to fight and eradicate polio they must first of all tackle environmental sanitation. She also promised that they will also come to do a formal training for program staffs and board of trustee members. She finally threw more light on national PMTCT response in Nigeria. The meeting came to a close at about 2.30pm.

POST CONFLICT COURSE

Action For Community Development

Post Conflict Natural Resources Management Practitioners

Focused Group Discussion at NRM Course

Attended a course on Managing Natural Resources in Post Conflict Recovery and Re-integration.From 26th of February to 2nd of March 2012 in Montreux Switzerland.

The course was organized by CSRS of the Naval Post Graduate School in collaboration with IAWG,UNDP and UNEP.

The course showed clearly the current United Nations Standards (IDDR) International Standards for Demobilization, Demilitarization and Re-integration.

It also emphasized on a holistic community centred approach to re-integration.

HIV MESSAGE TAKEN TO RURAL PEOPLE

HIV MESSAGE TAKEN TO RURAL PEOPLE.

HIV MESSAGE TAKEN TO RURAL PEOPLE

On Wednesday,20^th of February, we, Amanda and Mai went  to the cattle market in Evbuotubu Community to hold a peer session.When we arrived at about 1pm there were already about 6 men and 4 women gathered. The  peer educator was already awaiting for us.
Amanda educated the people on the meaning of HIV and the distinction between HIV/AIDS. Moreover the attendants were taught about the causes of HIV, and the symptoms of AIDS. Most importantly the attendants were not only given an understanding of the transmission of the virus but also about how HIV does NOT spread and how to protect themselves . After the session the attendants were free to ask questions. One of  the peers said he taught HIV virus could be transmitted through hand shake but now he knows better. One of the  peers, Kingsley said with this regular session where they  get enlightened, a society that is HIV  FREE is possible since they now know how to prevent it. From the amount of questions one could tell that the session had made the people think about this issue and the enlightenment was very clear to them.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS FOR ORPHANS

SCHOOL UNIFORMS FOR ORPHANS.

IMPROVED COMMUNITY SAFE SEX AND PREVENTION OF PARENT TO CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV/AIDS

On Wednesday,19^th of February 2013,we, the ACD-Team ( Amanda,Julie,Mai) went to the market of Evbuotubu Community to have a peer session with the women in the market. As soon as there were about 10 women gathered Amanda started the session.More women later joined the peer session. She started by showing drawings to the women and asking them tell what was on their mind when seeing those drawings.Then Amanda educated the women on HIV, it’s causes, symptoms and the distinction between HIV/AIDS and the transmission of HIV. As it is important to educate the women step by step to ensure that this issue is very clear. The attendants and us agreed on continuing the session in two weeks time. After the lessons the peers were free to ask questions. Many of the women seized their chance.The enlightenment was very clear.Julie distributed condoms and informative, communicative and educative materials about the female condom among the women. As the women now knew about the ways of transmission of HIV they were very grateful about the session. Attendance was also taken.

SCHOOL UNIFORMS FOR ORPHANS

On Wednesday, 19^th February 2013,at about 11.30 am we arrived at Ugiagbe Primary school of Evbotubu Community.The children were having a break and they were all very excited about our visit. We, the ACD -Team ( Amanda,Julie,Mai) brought a local tailor to the school to make measurements of orphans and vulnerable children to get them proper school uniforms tailored.There were too many children that were wearing school uniforms in very bad conditions but as we only have a limited budget.To understand the importance of school uniforms in Nigeria it is essential to know that those constitute the foundation for a proper education.Without a school uniform children are sent home.They are not able to get education to have the best preconditions for an independent life. We were able to make measurements of 16 pupils.When hope to be able to proceed quickly that the children get their school uniforms as soon as possible. we still have 12 more children  our list who  still  needs  uniforms , but these one will have to wait till we are able to raise more funds. We want to say a big thank you to all who gave to help to keep these children in school

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

As part of our effort to support the development of the Educational sector and encourage reading and creative writing, Action For Community Development organized an essay competition with the title Re-Inventing Nigeria Democracy: Imperative on the way forward on the November 19^th 2013 Time 12pm.

10 Schools were selected and invited for the competition. The following were the list of schools invited in Benin City ,Edo State -Nigeria.

1 Asoro Secondary School.

2 Evbotubu Secondary School

3 Columbia Secondary School.

4 Franej International High School..

5 Greater Grace Educational center

6 Ighile Group of Schools

7 Word of faith Group of Schools.

8 Imperial College .

9 Norman -Edward

The competition was opened to students from J.S 3-SS 3 with each school being represented by two students each. Prizes to be won ranges from a computer for the first place winner, school bags and books, Sandals and other consolation prizes.The competition took place at Greater Grace School in Evbotubu Benin City.

SELECTION OF COMMUNITY PEER EDUCATORS

SELECTION OF COMMUNITY PEER EDUCATORS.

ACD COMMENCES SECOND PHASE OF COWSSAP PROJECT

Action For Community Development as since September last year began the ICOSSAP (IMPROVED COMMUNITY SAFE SEX AND PREVENTION OF PARENT TO CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV/AIDS) Project. It is the Second phase of the Project COWSSAP. ACD staffs payed a visit to Okhukhugbo and Evbotubu Community on the 19^th of January where the project is being carried out.The aim of the visit was to hold a Monthly Community Mentor ship Meetings with the two Community and to inform them of the selection of Community Peers Educators that would be holding peer sessions in the community. They were also told that these selected peer Educators will be trained on their roles and responsibilities.

TRAINING OF PEER EDUCATORS IN EVBUOTUBU COMMUNITY

The training of Peer Educators has commenced by ACD since on the 5^th of February. Peer Educators were trained on their Roles and Qualities they must posses and the challenges they might encounter. They were told one their roles is to mobilize the peers for session. They should facilitate the selection of the venue for the meetings and conduct the session in such a way that will bring positive change in the behavior of the people. They should be available and be committed and must be trusted by their peers. They were also trained on the challenges which includes Time, language and transfer from their present location.The training took place at three locations in the community on the 7th ,12th and 13th respectively. The Peer Educators gave their word of ensuring they carry out their duties diligently.