Genius International Organization
Volunteer organizations such as RESPECT in large part rely on word of mouth for awareness and support. An effective way of achieving this is by linking up with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This allows RESPECT to disseminate information on many other inspiring projects around the world through its website and e-Zine, while also bringing programmes like RESPECT's letter exchange program to a wider audience.
One NGO RESPECT is currently in discussions with is the Genius International Organization (GIO). Formed in 1995, with offices in Tokyo and Lagos, Nigeria GIO is a non-profit that networks with other NGOs in Africa at the rural and urban community level to provide assistance for young people, women, and disadvantaged groups.
Benson Ehiagwina, President and Co-ordinator General, says he first had the idea of forming GIO while in his final year at university. He collaborated with other students and young professionals to create an organization which aims to draw together stakeholders involved with African youth to discuss and update information and programmes in the field of social development and peace.
Mr Ehiagwina hopes GIO will not only be able to strengthen the role of youth organizations in raising awareness among young people in Africa of the particular challenges they face - such as drug and child abuse, poverty, and unemployment — but also enhance the capacity of governments and international agencies to provide the skills and education necessary for them to meet these challenges.
Although he says that he did not base GIO on any existing organization, he has encountered a problem familiar to many NGOs — that of financing development projects. However RESPECT has offered to create a website for GIO, and is also discussing the possibility of finding a place to house it.
It is such collaborations between non-profits, and the networks they have created in the NGO sector that facilitate the exchange of ideas around the world, and can help organizations like RESPECT and GIO, which rely so heavily on the hard work of volunteers, to overcome some of the financial barriers they face.