Context
The Ajata/Iyienyi community in Umuahia North LGA Abia State in Nigeria is a community based on subsistence farming and petty trading. While the local community has access to primary education and basic health there is no provision for secondary and further education or regular medical clinics. The community does not have fresh running water.
Maureen Flynn’s life was one of community service. In her last years of life, she struck up a deep friendship with Father Kevin Nkemdirim Njoku, a local from the Ajata community undertaking missionary work in Australia. His dream of the construction of a local community centre in his hometown became a reality due to his determination and his own personal financial backing.
With a community centre in place a group of locals in Nigeria and the family of Maureen wanted to recognize her legacy in combination with Kevin’s mother Beatrice in forming the M and B Memorial Initiative which is registered as the local NGO for this project.
Project Aims
This project aims to provide basic education for vulnerable children to enable increased participation in primary and secondary school education and providing basic medical services thus improving their life opportunities.
There are three focuses:
- Computer education for post-secondary school as a stepping block to further employment and education
- The ability to provide medical clinics for basic health requirements.
- A focus on supplying fresh water so locals do not have to purchase or use substandard water
Short term goals
- The interventions involve the pupils of Ajata Primary School…supplying uniforms and writing equipment to enable participation in school.
- Training in computer skills within the community hub focusing on secondary school students to enhance the opportunity for university enrolment.
- Trial of health clinic with volunteer doctors, nurses, scientists and pharmacists with the view to regular clinics.
- Provision of a mechanical mower to assist with preparing the school sports field.
Long term goals
- Providing a community hub and regular education including computer literacy training and medical clinics.
- Exploring options of safe water supply within the limitations of the geographical area.
- Exploring the viability of stand-alone solar power for the community hub.
Beneficiaries
The community of Ajata and nearby district specifically school age children and those in the community who cannot access basic medical care. The first computer training course attracted 61 attendees and the first medical clinic had 286 attendees without any advertising in the community.
Project stages
Most of the infrastructure for the community has been completed. Next step is equipping the infrastructure with more computers, possible fresh water and a steady power supply (solar) so the community building in continuously accessible over the next couple of years.
Computer training with 3 local computer trainers and a medical clinic trial with 3 doctors, 4 local nurses, 2 local scientists, an ophthalmologist and 3 community leaders have commenced.
Expected outcomes
- Greater attendance at primary and secondary school.
- Improved computer literacy to enable transition to tertiary education.
- Greater and easier access to health care services.
- Improved quality of fresh water supply
- Continuity of electricity through use of solar.
You can help…
To contribute to providing basic education and medical services for these vulnerable children thereby enriching their future, please click on “Donate to this Project” on the right sidebar. Thank you!
All gifts are tax deductible and will benefit this project in their entirety except for bank fees.
