Our recent community development outreach was held in collaboration with the Abia State University, (ABSU) Uturu, Nigeria. During the outreach we carried out a two weeks workshop / seminar with 20 participants on Community/Primary Health Care for health educators, medical practitioners and professionals, and for over 45 educators and teachers of the University’s staff schools (high and primary). A four days leadership and management seminars was also conducted for 98 senior administrative non-teaching staff of the same University. The report coming to us from the Vice Chancellor of the University indicates that many lives were touched and a great impact made among the leadership – teaching and non-teaching staff of the University. Listen to the following comments from various participants; “Almost anything can be bought at a reduced price except lasting satisfaction, which we have gotten during this seminar. Thanks!” “You are someone who perfectly understands others, share their
problems, joy and sorrows. Someone who springs up hope in our deep
and pitiable predicament. Someone whose gently advice and material
encouragement can brighten a dark moment. A person on whom one can
confidently fall back without breaking one’s neck. Yes, you are that
someone to us”. Another participant in a letter to the Vice-Chancellor of the University wrote; “I am overjoyed to join other members of ABSU community to
express my profound appreciation to you for initiating and carrying
out the just concluded two-week train-the-trainers seminar/workshop
for us by the Link International Ministries team from Canada. In
fact, I should say that our interactions with the wonderful team
members is so far, the best thing that has happened in the lives of
the non-teching staff of ABSU. I am glad that the seminar/workshop
has became an annual event.. Thank you very much. This participant
continued by saying, “In order to ensure that better knowledge and
skills of management procedures acquired by the administrative staff
of the University during the seminar/workshop are deep-rooted in the
ABSU non-teaching staff and applied in real life situations, may I
suggest that a follow-up measure be adopted as soon as possible by
establishing a unit within the University for administrative staff
training”.
AIDS’ Orphans Sponsorship Program: In the midst of our tight schedule, we were able to meet with the AIDS orphans we sponsor on monthly bases and with those that are still in need of sponsorship. What a joy that beams from their faces when they came face-to-face for the first time with some sponsors and received gifts from them. We could not hold back our tears. Being a part of a mission of hope for the hopeless cannot be overemphasized. We still need sponsors. Contact us should you decide to be a sponsor. It is $50 (Cdn) a month.
School Kits For School Children:
University Environmental Assessment: “Environment is a holistic concept. It encompasses much more than just the biological and landscaping component. The learning environment also includes the conditions of the physical plant: The buildings, services and facilities. A beautiful environment on the outside will not compensate for a poor environment on the inside. The long-term goal should encompass both aspects”. He is presently following up his survey by consulting with Canadian some Canadian engineers on what best to do to manage the growing soil erosion within the University endowment land.
Diversity of the Team Members: A NIGERIAN CLASSROOM
Day 1:
This morning I went to meet the students I will be working with
at Wings of Faith School. Since they are still finishing up exams, I
don’t start the program until next week. First thing when I meet the
head mistress, I am told that they had forgotten to tell me that the
students would be on summer holidays halfway through the two weeks I
was to be teaching. I’m thinking,
Day 2:
Day 5:
Day 8: Lisa Dovale |
