RESPECT is growing everyday, everywhere!
RESPECT Nigeria News
March - May 2005
May
After Meesa had an amazing talk with Sean Osborne, the owner of the Fair Trade Chocolate Company, and she was trying to make arrangements to order chocolate bars at the Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG), the staff member advised to start off to send computers since she had $200 already. Soon after Marc, Iona, and I were giving Kudos and words of encouragement when Meesa sent an additional email to inform the RESPECT Family that she was absolutely astounded to have won the first prize of $1000 in a contest called Canadian Network for International Surgery (CNIS) to raise awareness on maternal death, her friend Amany and Meesa participated, therefore, they both each get $500. A Million thanks to Meesa as she informed us that her $500 will go for the computers so we have $700. We just need the $300 for the computers.
This is part of the contest that they had to submit to them www.geocities.com/meesas_album/cnis.html. Words of Thanks and encouragement will be great from our Volunteers, readers and well wishers to a wonderful Lady at: meesa@respectrefugees.org.
RESPECT Nigeria received great assistance from 'Lola Olasehan, one of our active online volunteers in Nigeria. She has assisted in raising funds for the Oru primary school children and writing letters. Within 1hr of sending the mails to contributors, she was able to raise N11600 for the sponsor a child project. The project entails the cost of educating, clothing and feeding a child at the Oru Refugee Primary School, Oru, Ogun State. She will be attempting to continue sending similar writings to corporate workers via email. As part RESPECT Nigeria sponsorship program this Year, we will continuously donate educational materials, clothing's and foods for the upkeep of the children at the camp as more funds come in. on Tuesday 31st may 2005, we made the first project, School chalks was donated for the school use for the children, this was donated to celebrate the children's Day in Nigeria. I want to officially say words of thanks to 'Lola in order to show my appreciation and to RESPECT Nigeria contributors' names below.
These people helped in making financial contribution of N11600 for the sponsor a child project:
- Nwaji Jibunoh
- Utonnwa Okezie
- David Abitoye
- Foluke Ogunbekun
- Esther
- Daisi Jesujobi
- Biodun
- Olaolu Akinola
- Ope
- Nike Akinlade
- Mame-Duku
- Collins
- Slyvester Aigbogun
- Nduka Okisor
- Femi Alaga
- Jones Anosike
- Busola Adeniran(contributed a chair)
- Ibilola
- Taiwo
- Paul Uloko
- Omoruyi Osagiede
- Francis ABAYOMI, Country coordinator RESPECT Nigeria making donation of 10 packets of school Chalks to the students as they watch through their Teacher DeoLinda Iloba, a Sierra Leonean.
RESPECT University: 5 of the students enrolled on the "English for Academic Purposes" course taught by Iona Lister (UK), received and submitted their second assignment and it has been sent to UK for assessment through the visiting British Film maker and a student of Bournemouth University UK, Martins Webb.
Six students are enrolled on the business skills course taught by David Beasley (Australia), also submitted their first assignment and received their second assignment this month of May. We have been notified that 6 refugee students enrolled on Cartooning and Comics for Change will soon receive their first assignment.
Pen Pal Exchange Letters: We received the second replies from Winona School Canada. More than 36 students are participating with Nigeria students Coordinator, Alexia Pearce
We also received Fort Richmond Collegiate High School pen pal exchange letters and RESPECT Nigeria has distributed the letters to students in Nigeria. The group included their picture and $5canadian in the package which is meant to cover the cost of the return letters.
Damilola Kellie Adeyeye, the General Secretary for RESPECT Nigeria collected over 50 pen pal letters and will be sent to Canada early next Month.
More Pen Pal Exchange letter was collected at the refugee camp this month and was sent to Canada, this was with the assistance of Mikado Wayko.
RESPECT Nigeria met with other stake holders in respect of the activities for United for Sight program in Nigeria such as the Tower of Refugee Care & Hospitality (Torch) Nigeria.
RESPECT Nigeria was introduced to the Kano State Government by Abdul Malik Inusa Abdulrasheed and Babangida Danjuma Garba. This was done to give RESPECT Nigeria the opportunity to have its activities at the northern part of the country most especially at Dorayi quarters by Bayero University Kano. They would also be willing to distribute pamphlets in refugee communities in their area.
It is amazing to see RESPECT added on the SFPIRG web site.
RESPECT Nigeria, Through Francis ABAYOMI and Mikado Wayko met and introduced RESPECT Nigeria activities and Oru refugee Camp to the chief Conveyor Emmanuel Fariogun of The Tower of Refugee Care & Hospitality (TORCH) Nigeria on the 31st May 2005. During the meeting we had a close Interaction about the activities of the Two organizations and how we intend to work in partnership organizing Joint programs at the Oru Refugee Camp.
TORCH Nigeria is a Christian Humanitarian Organisation based in Lagos, Nigeria.
Martins Webb, a student of Bournemouth University and a British Film maker from UK and David Uro a student from National Film Institute Jos and a Nigerian Film maker from Nigeria was received at the Oru Refugee Camp by RESPECT Nigeria under the leadership of Francis ABAYOMI, and volunteers Mikado Wayko, Inza Quattara and Deo Linda Iloba. Martins and David were taken around the The Oru Refugee camp with the intention of making a film/ documentary on the Camp. Please watch out for more information concerning the Film and various activities of Martins Webb in Nigeria.
RESPECT Nigeria in close association with Bournemouth University UK and National Film Institute, Jos, Nigeria organized a one day workshop title: "The Industry : The Film Making". The workshop was attended by interested refugees in the film making industry. The resource person is Martin Webb from Bournemouth University UK and David Uro from National Film Institute, Jos, Nigeria.
April
RESPECT University: We have registered 35 refugee students and have 12 currently on the waiting list. 5 of the students are enrolled on the "English for Academic Purposes" course taught by Iona Lister (UK). The students recently submitted their second assignment and it has been posted to and received in UK for assessment. 6 students are enrolled on the business skills course taught by David Beasley (Australia). David recently sent by snail mail the students' first assignment together with 6 calculators for their practical work, The students are currently working on their assignment and they have two weeks to complete the first assignment. This course will include accounting. 6 refugee students are enrolled on Politics, or Social Studies, or Sociology - collectively known as Humanities. 6 refugee students are enrolled on Creative Writing and 6 refugee students will be enrolled on Cartooning and Comics for Change. http://university.respectrefugees.org/
The names of students are listed below.
Pen Pal Exchange Letters: These have been collected and sent regularly to Pen Pal friends from UK, Canada and America. Presently we have more than 60 pen pal students from Sierra Leone and Liberia. In a couple of weeks we intend to generate more publicity about this program. Moreover, we received the second replies from Winona School Canada. More than 36 students are participating with Nigeria students Coordinator, Alexia Pearce (101 Winona St. Toronto, Ontario M6G 3S8).
Fort Richmond Collegiate High School have also shown great interest to writing the initial letters and RESPECT Nigeria would distribute them to students in a refugee camp in Nigeria. Coordinator Lasha and Shannon.
RESPECT Nigeria has been contacted to coordinate activities "Roots and Shoots" and "United For Sight" with regards to their activities at the Oru Refugee Camp.
We have received great assistance from Madhuri, one of our active online volunteers from America. He has assisted in obtaining free books from Palo Alto public library and, at a subsequent cost of $28, shipping the first load of books (about 11kgs worth) by surface mail to Nigeria from US around 25 pounds (around 11kg). It will take 6 to 8 weeks for the books to reach Nigeria by surface mail. In order to make this a monthly event, he will be attempting to organize fundraising activities such as social gatherings. We plan to open a RESPECT Library at the Oru Refugee Camp upon receiving the first package. I want to officially say words of thanks to Madhuri in order to show my appreciation and to contributor names below.
These people helped in arranging for books, sort the books, pay for shipping costs, and investigate options with airline ambassadors:
- Vinay Yadappanavar
- Smita Shrivastava
- Karen Bobonich
- Subhashini Parasuraman
- Vasudha Krishnaswamy
- Shuba Swaminathan
- Murali Murugesan
- Venky Radhakrishnan
Lillian Langford has regularly interviewed me to feature on the regular "RESPECT e-Zine".
- RESPECT Nigeria Country Coordinator Makes an Impact in First Year
- Oru Camp Becomes Long-Term Home for Many Refugees
- RESPECT Nigeria Activities Making Positive Change at Oru Camp
Meesa Chungfat also did a wonderful interview on the regular e-Zine, Bridging The Digital Divide.
Just out of curiosity, David Beasley has shown great interest to assist RESPECT Nigeria financially and helping to find more people who might want to get involved, the impetus coming after reading our annual report. We express our gratitude to him.
Presently we have 35 online volunteers recently. We got in touch with Teachers Without Borders - Nigeria (TWB-Nigeria) and we are making arrangements to sign an MOU.
TWB-Nigeria is also a major stakeholder at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Calabar (Eastern part of Nigeria).
A couple of months ago, RESPECT Nigeria applied for computers for 5 schools which have since been successfully approved. In the nearest future, the computers will be shipped to Nigeria. We got assistance from Marc and Meesa. Kudos' for the Great Work!
We have also had online volunteers assisting in the formatting of reports and giving us advice. We are indebted to Will, David, Tom Wingfield, Meesa, Omolola, Madhuri, Iona Lister and Marc to name but a few. I want to state here that everyone has been wonderful and supportive. I believe that by carrying out both small and large acts we are reinforcing old aspects and building on the new that are materializing for RESPECT Nigeria.
I want to urge you all to continue and let us know whatever effort you are engaged in for RESPECT Nigeria no matter how small. You can be sure that we will acknowledge these great efforts.
March
RESPECT Nigeria registered 24 academic students to study with RESPECT University using the snail mail which including the Business Skills under the tutelage of David Beasley. However the other twenty–four students will join the other five students who started the English course for academic purpose early this year.
- Orlando K. Karmon - Liberian - male
- Mikado F. Wayko - Liberian - Male
- Lovely W. Doe - Liberian - Female
- Izetta S. Cooper - Liberian - Female
- Lydia J. S. Tulay - Liberian - Female
- Kowou Denzu Kowou - Congolees - Male
- Stanley W. Paigar - Liberian -Male
- Henry John Mbah - Cameroun - Male
- Jamiel M. Krakue - Liberian - Male(Disabled)
- Jane P. Kponbowoe -Liberian - Female
- Marcus Goodings - Liberian – Male
- Wilson Y. Weh - Liberian – Male
- Dale Wilson Garle - Liberian – Male
- Orlando K.B. Zabay - Liberian – Male
- Robert K. Zeigler - Liberian – Male
- Richard T. Tubman - Liberian – Male
- Deruck T. Jackson - Liberian – Male
- Thomas Boye Freeman - Liberian – Male
- Ericson Neewary - - Liberian – Male
- Othello N. Today - Liberian – Male
- Fred C. Popei - Liberian – Male
- Tand Kai - Liberian – Male
- Simeon Danny - Liberian – Male
- Johnnie K. Toe Jr. - Liberian – Male
These students showed tremendous interest in studying with RESPECT University. The list of selected students was approved by RESPECT Nigeria Country coordinator Francis Abayomi and Mrs. Ossai (Head Caritas Desk of JDPC).
Pen pal Students in Nigeria received their pen pals' letters and replied letters from Alexia Pearce 101 Winona Dr, Toronto, Ontario M6G 3S8 Canada this month.
RESPECT Nigeria this month received the second set of assignments from Iona Lister (RESPECT University Co-Ordinator) done by the five students mentioned in the January section of the newsletter. The assignments were delivered to the students by the coordinator of RESPECT Nigeria. RESPECT University students have also begun work on their assignments which are due to be submitted in a week's time.
Francis Abayomi of RESPECT Nigeria was interviewed by email by Lillian Langford preparing articles on RESPECT Nigeria's programs which include:
- RESPECT Letter exchange in Nigeria.
- RESPECT University in RESPECT Nigeria.
- RESPECT Nigeria and Online Volunteering in upcoming RESPECT Ezines.
RESPECT Nigeria Showed interest to partner with Roots and Shoots in Nigeria.
RESPECT Nigeria sent the 2nd batch of replies of pen pal letters to Hawthorne Elementary school USA this month.
