Mgbala Agwa Youths Forum

Mgbala Agwa Youths Forum joins Nabuur

February 19th, 2009 | Posted in volunteering

By Phil Costa

Mgbala Agwa Youth Forum director Nduka Ozor and online volunteer Phil Costa joined Nabuur.com, the “online volunteering network”.

Nduka joined in August of 2005 while Phil came on board in March of 2006. Nduka and Phil have made many friends through NABUUR, and are currently trying to recruit “neighbours” to help them develop a Voluntary Counseling and Confidential Testing center in the village, as well as try to apply to the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Currently, Nduka and Phil are having some difficulty attracting and retaining committed volunteers. If you would like to join Mgbala Agwa on Nabuur, please register on Nabuur.com and post a message at the Mgbala Agwa ‘village’ at http://www.nabuur.com/en/village/mgbala-agwa to get started.

NABUUR is a Dutch organization, based in the Netherlands.

Reports of the HIV/AIDS/Health Education Lessons

February 19th, 2009 | Posted in catch them young (cty)

By the Centre for HIV/STD Research (CHISTRE)

The fundamental idea for this activity is to provide for the School Children the information, which is ultimately targeted at raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and other sexual matters. This will undoubtedly promote behaviour change and encourage healthy living among the School Children.

The program was organized in the Schools to ensure that a greater number of Children participated. Moreover, the School is seen as a veritable spot for the program because of its formal and organized nature.

Teachers from the 18 Schools were trained on the basis of HIV/AIDS and Communication modes and later co-opted into the program after advocacy with the authorities of the Schools, which culminated in the approval of periods for the study.

Meanwhile, total of 42 teachers participated in the program with two personnel supervising the activities of the teachers during the program; which lasted for three months beginning from May to July, 2007.

The teachers reported their activities on daily and weekly basis following the scheme of work adapted from the FAMILY LIVE AND HEALTH EDUCATION CURRICULUM and approved by the Centre for HIV/AIDS & STD RESEARCH (CHISTRE).

At the end of the 3 months, a total of 22,635 Pupils and Students were reached; with the following weekly breakdown:

Week 1: 3876
Week 2: 3931
Week 3: 5978
Week 4: 2742
Week 5: 3236
Week 6: 1882
Week 7: 774
Week 8: 200

However, the program was faced with some challenges. These include; dwindling and fluctuation in the numbering attendance due to non-compliance with the order of the School for Pupils to pay certain fees.

Lack of instructional materials: This greatly affected the program as there are absolute lack of materials for effective communication being that HIV/AIDS is a new concept in School.

Lack of Qualified Teachers: Most of the Teachers have no knowledge about HIV/AIDS prior to the program and this has its effect on the program.

Indifference: Some Head Teachers are opposed to the teaching of sex and disease in schools affected the smooth running.

MAYF HIV/AIDS Library featured in the US National Commission Report on Library and Information Needs

February 19th, 2009 | Posted in iku, volunteering

By Stephan Bren, MAYF
October 2006

WASHINGTON: Earlier this year, the US National Commission on Libraries and Information Science released a report,The Role of Libraries in HIV/AIDS Information Dissemination in Sub-Saharan Africa, that describes how the current crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa can be an occasion for libraries to become more involved in education of the people in regard to prevention, treatment, and care, and how the current situation in Sub-Saharan Africa is also an opportunity for growth of the library and information science profession in that part of the world. The report identifies the best practices of HIV/AIDS education activities in order to encourage replication in other environments.

The findings in this report were based upon literature reviews and materials collected from library sources in Sub-Saharan Africa, including MAYF.

The report was made possible by a UNESCO grant from the U.S. Department of State and is associated with the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) iniative.

MAYF Director Nduka Ozor to present at the Strength Based Strategies 2006 Conference

February 19th, 2009 | Posted in conference

By Stephan Bren, MAYF
September 28, 2006

WASHINGTON: The director of the Mgbala Agwa Youths Forum (MAYF), Nduka Ozor, will speak at the Strength Based Strategies conference in Hyderabad, India.

The conference is devoted to facilitating global interconnectedness among people seeking solutions to the challenges they face and is focused on promoting the resilience approach as opposed to meeting deficits.

It will meet over three days and provide a wide range of workshops, discussion groups, and sessions on implementing strength-based strategies for solving problems.

MAYF releases report of its September 2006 General Meeting

February 19th, 2009 | Posted in agm, conference

By Stephan Bren, MAYF
September 28, 2006

NIGERIA: The Mgbala Agwa Youth Forum (MAYF) recently held its general meeting, during which attendees discussed the progress of MAYF’s Catch Them Young program, in educating young people about HIV/AIDS.

The meeting was held on July 28 at the Mgbala Agwa hotel and was attended by nearly 2500 persons from the Mgbala Agwa and surrounding areas. Government representatives, media, health officers both from the community health centre and the local government primary health centre were all in attendance.

The full report of the meeting is available for public viewing upon request.

MAYF Surveyed for Successful Online Volunteer Practices

February 19th, 2009 | Posted in volunteering

By Stephan Bren, MAYF
July 2006

WASHINGTON: Mgbala Agwa Youths Forum (MAYF) participated in a survey conducted by Jayne Cravens, who was director of the United Nations (UN) Online Volunteer and manager of the Information Technology Service Service initiatives.

Her research was undertaken to assess current common practices among organizations successfully involving international online volunteers; to explore the role online volunteering may play in building a more cohesive global community; and to assess the relationship between involving online volunteers and building organizational capacities.

This research sought to shed some light on what factors may have contributed to the success of involving international online volunteers and to identify how these volunteers were thought of in relation to an organization’s onsite staff.

In performing this research, Cravens surveyed organizations that involved online volunteers named as “Outstanding” in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 by the United Nations Volunteers program (UNV), part of the UN Development Program (UNDP).

Her research work was presented at the Institute for Volunteering Research November 2005 conference, Volunteering Research: Frontiers and Horizons, and recently published in the July 2006 issue of the International Journal of Volunteer Administration.

CTY Gets Royal Blessing

February 19th, 2009 | Posted in catch them young (cty), village life

By Nduka Ozor, Coordinator MAYF
February 21, 2006

LAGOS NIGERIA: The Catch Them Young (CTY) program was launched February 15, 2006, by the traditional ruler of the Mgbala Agwa Autonomous community, Eze Charles A Ukwu. This public event was held a day after Lover’s Day (Valentines Day) to officially launch the program and draw special attention to it within the Mgbala Agwa community.

Declaring the program open, Eze Charles A Ukwu commended the Mgbala Agwa Youth Forum (MAYF) for its pro-activeness in addressing the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS in the community. He praised youths for helping reshape the battered social and cultural activities of the Mgbala Agwa community, particularly their commitment to community health issues.

HIV, he said, has decimated the uninformed rural community of Mgbala Agwa, reversing community progress. Eze Charles A Ukwu told attendees at the event that he was very proud of the awareness on HIV and other health related issues that community youths have helped create, assuring them of his continued and unreserved support of their efforts.

Eze Charles A Ukwu thanked the Swedish organization Internationellt KulturUtbyte (IKU) for believing in and supporting the cause of Mgbala Agwa youths, citing MAYF partnership with IKU as a model for other other international agencies and donor organisations. Additionally, he gave special thanks to Mr. Nduka Ozor, MAYF coordinator, for his resiliance and persistence in overcoming significant financial challenges to the MAYF program. In response, Mr. Ozor thanked Eze Charles A Ukwu for his kind and generous praise, noting that couldn’t have done it alone without the support of his online volunteers.

Mr. Ozor also shared with attendees of the event some personal recollections, noting that prior to venturing into the MAYF program he had been awed by the challenges and constraints he would have to face. He further called upon members of the Mgbala Agwa community to allow female children to be actively involved in the program.

At the conclusion of official events, attendees were shown a play by Mgbala Agwa youths on the dangers of HIV/AIDS that was well-received by the community.

MAYF Hosts Special Guest from South Africa

February 19th, 2009 | Posted in village life, volunteering

By Nduka Ozor
February 13, 2006

LAGOS NIGERIA: MAYF recently hosted a special guest from South Africa, Daryn Liddle, 22, a conflict resolution and management advocate. Liddle visited Mgbala Agwa Community for a two week stay, from December 24, 2005 – Janurary 7, 2006, to assist with a HIV/AIDS peer health educators training conference.

Liddle participated in the two day HIV/AIDS peer health educators training conference, held January 3rd – 4th 2006, organized by Internationellt KulturUtbyte (IKU) and Mgbala Agwa Youth Forum (MAYF) for teachers and MAYF members who will be educators in the ongoing HIV /AIDS Catch Them Young program. Specifically, Liddle conducted two workshops given daily at the conference: Introduction to Conflict Resolutions and Conflict Resolution Strategies.

Darren Liddle presenting a workshop on conflict resolution to members of the community

Mgbala Agwa is located in the Oguta Local government area of Imo State, Nigeria.

During his two-week visit, Liddle explored the gamut of rural Mgbala Agwa community life. He began his stay in Mgbala Agwa with a celebration of Christmas Eve according to Mgbala Agwa custom, usually marked by visits to friends and relatives. He attended mass at the local Catholic church both on Christmas day and then also on New Years day, celebrating both after the traditions and customs of Mgbala Agwa; and he had the opportunity to observe traditional marriage ceremonies organized in Mgbala Community.

Liddle visited the palace of the traditional ruler of the Mgbala Agwa community, meeting with Eze Charles A Ukwu, his cabinet members, and other religious and political leaders of the community. He also met with senior members of MAYF and the MAYF coordinator, Nduka Ozor, commending them on the good work they were doing to save lives.

2005-peereducatorsworkshop-01

Liddle also became acquainted with the Mgbala Agwa community, visiting community markets, talking with market visitors, and watching local football competitions – even participating as a player in several practice football sessions.

He also visited the local health centre in the community and met with the nursing sister to discuss HIV/AIDS and other issues. Schools were not in session, during his stay, and thus Liddle was not able to observe class sessions. However, he was able to tour community school facilities.

Liddle had the enjoyable experience of travelling rough and bumpy roads that join Mgbala to neighboring communities. He also visited Owerri, (the capital city of Imo State) on several occasions to contact associates and friends in South Africa via the internet, as Mgbala Agwa lacks all such basic amenities.

What Mgbala Agwa lacked in basic amenities was more then compensated by the warm hospitality and camaraderie of the Mgbala Agwa community. Liddle was accepted by every member of the community, and was even honored with a new Igbo cultural identity by Nze Ozor Anyadioha, 98, the head of his family host (Nduka Ozor).

Nze Ozor Anyadioha christened him ‘Azubuike,’ meaning, “There is strength in the back.” In Mgbala Community it is believed that the number and quality of the people that an individual has around him in life reinforces his strength and vigour. Liddle was also honored with a new name by MAYF members, “Uzoma,” during their host day, providing him with a chieftaincy cap and beads. “Uzoma” means “good sojourn – good road” and reflects the belief among Mgbala Agwa people that when a road or sojourn is favourable there is the likelihood of embarking on a similar sojourn in the future. Mgbala Agwa community members warmly greeted Liddle using his new names, during his stay with the community.

Liddle sharing a traditional meal with Mgbala Agwa community members.

MAYF continually welcomes visitors from all parts of the world to participate in the rich cultural heritage of the Mgbala Agwa community and to help collaborate on strengthening Mgbala Agwa values and beliefs.

Through such participation and collaboration, MAYF hopes someday to change the world.

Mgbala Agwa Participates in Nabuur’s Workshop

February 19th, 2009 | Posted in conference

By Nduka Ozor, MAYF
4 October 2005

MGBALA AGWA, NIGERIA: You can’t imagine the excitements of the people of Mgbala Agwa when NABUUR invited Mr. Nduka Ozor, the local representative and a community leader to participate in an 8 days workshop organised in Kenya to train her local representatives on the management of the Local Representative Portal in NABUUR’s website.

The workshop brought together 25 local representatives from around Africa. It was a participatory and action packed workshop. Other issues covered in the workshop included coaching and counseling of local community members.

Claudia took the participants on the management of the website and other internet operations.She also taught on how to post and respond to facilitators, and other neighour’s inquiries using the tools available on the website.

Edmee, in another energy sapping sessions took participants through the activities of NABUUR,their relationships with her local representatives, facilitators, and volunteers.

She informed the participants that it is painful when local representatives do not come online to discuss with their facilitators on issues bothering them about their community. Edmee called on all local representatives to change their attitudes to make a serious impact on their time.

Edmee a trained Administrator said that for any local representative who knows her onions should led her neighbours, facilitators and even donors by hand into the activities of the community by posting regularly on what is going on in their respective communities.

It was a very interesting exercise. Participants called for more of such training, they also called on NABUUR to help the local representative make practical impact in their community.

he entire programme was financed by NABUUR. Laptops and digital camera were distributed to the participants by NABUUR to enable them carry on their jobs effectively.

Community Chief loses wife

February 19th, 2009 | Posted in village life

By Nduka Ozor, MAYF
October 3, 2005

MGBALA AGWA, NIGERIA: The Mgbala Agwa community was thrown into mourning last week, the 26th of September following the death of Chief Mrs. Eunice Ukwu , Mrs.Ukwu wife of chief Charles C. Ukwu the traditional ruler of Mgbala Agwa Autonomous community died after a protracted sickness at the age of 68.

Mrs. Ukwu was an advocate of women Liberation and women empowerment was instrumental to the inclusion of women in decision making body of Mgbala Agwa. She has been described by many of her followers as a focused woman who goes extra miles in meeting the objectives of her project.

She was a dedicated Catholic, a Christian mother, and one time leader of Agwa Women’s Organisation. She worked tirelessly to see that Mgbala Agwa gained her autonomy from the Government of Imo state.

She is a mother too many, she offers succour to the less privileged, and was working with MAYF on Family Planning issues.

She will be missed by the Mgbala Agwa Youths Forum and the entire Mgbala Agwa Community. She is survived by her husband, Chief Charles C. Ukwu and her children.

May her soul rest in perfect peace.