It’s always easy to talk about doing something or wanting to do something, but the part of actually doing it is not easy. As one who is part of a non-profit organisation that aids students in Nigeria, I can say without a doubt that what ReNOVATE is doing is gutsy. It is not at all easy to put together an organization like this, and it is even harder to keep it going. The reality is that helping people costs money. It also costs time, energy, and emotions. So two thumbs up to ReNOVATE. And if you’re in the DMV area next weekend – Saturday, July 28th 2012 – you should definitely check them out.
ReNOVATE Nigeria is a non-profit organization that simply exists to improve the plight of education, health and development in Nigeria’s rural and most disadvantaged areas.
Last year, ReNOVATE Nigeria carried out its stated goals through the implementation of projects, including our 2011 Malaria Initiative project, whereby 150 households received mosquito bed nets alongside malaria education and prevention in the community of Edunabon, Osun state.
This year, ReNOVATE will kick off the 2012 Education and Mentorship Project by hosting an Education and Mentorship Fair, also in the village of Edunabon. Edunabon in many ways is the typical Nigerian village, disenfranchised and in need of a turn-around. Upon our last visit to this village, we were confronted with some harsh realities, including barely-functioning clinics with no hospital beds or medicine and with extremely sub-par clinical procedures which at best have no effect and at worst, expose the sick to greater risk.
The schools that we visited lacked functioning bathrooms, and classroom facilities were found to be defunct and unsuitable for teaching and learning. The failure of the education system itself is something that every Nigerian can bear witness to, from under-performing teachers, to outdated curriculums, to the very lack of teaching and learning resources such as text books.
Our 2012 Education and Mentorship Project specifically aims “to equip Edunabon’s youth- those currently in the two high schools, including the Anglican High School and the C.A.C. Grammar School, with the knowledge that they require in order to secure a successful future as members of the labor force and contributors to our nation’s economy”.
This year’s fundraising gala is a black tie event that will be held on July 28, 2012 at the Rutgers Law Library Atrium. This event will feature musical guest performers, comedian, special guests of honor and many more. Benefits from this gala will go towards our different initiatives. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.renovatenigeria.org.
