Pen-pals Bridge Gap to Nigerian IDPs Camps
Francis Abayomi, a graduate student in civil engineering at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria, is Country Coordinator for RESPECT Nigeria. He is actively involved in refugees’ education and their overall welfare, living in IDP camps in Nigeria. He has been coordinating letter exchange programs between refugees and non-refugee students, and is responsible for other awareness programs of RESPECT Nigeria. Here are excerpts of an interview with him.
Dr. Raza: How did you get involved with RESPECT International?
Mr. Abayomi: I got involved with RESPECT International through a friend (Muyiwa Oke) who introduced the program to me and after finding out about what RESPECT is all about, I joined and got involved more having the mind to contribute selfless service to humanity.
Dr. Raza: What is the reaction of students to the letter exchange?
Mr. Abayomi: The reaction of students to the letter exchange is wonderful, everyone wants to participate, and it is with more joy when they receive replies from pen-pal friends.
Dr. Raza: How many students do you have involved in the letter exchange so far? What age groups do you normally focus on for letter exchange? In which language are the letters written?
Mr. Abayomi: We have more than 50 students. Usually we focus on children and young people between 7-40 years. The letters are written in English.
Dr. Raza: How do you think the letter exchange program is helpful for the refugee students?
Mr. Abayomi: I think the letter exchange program is helpful for the refugee students as a way to the bridge the gap between them and the outside world, since most of the refugee students do not have access to the internet. It also encourages refugee education.
Dr. Raza: What is the response of non-refugee students towards their less privileged refugee friends?
Mr. Abayomi: It is always sympathetic and a sort of prayer to their less privileged refugee friends.
Dr. Raza: What interesting things have you noticed in the letter exchange?
Mr. Abayomi: Exchange of pictures, and favorites such as food and music stars.
Dr. Raza: To whom are the letters written and how are the letters delivered/sent-through mail or email?
Mr. Abayomi: The letters are delivered/sent-through mail by me (Francis Abayomi). To whom is in two stages: to prospective pen-pal and to the student replies.
Dr. Raza: Who bears the expenses and how are the funds created for letter exchange?
Mr. Abayomi: Till now, I (Francis Abayomi) bear 99 percent of the expenses. The funds are through personal funding but we hope to get funding partners in the near future.
Dr. Raza: What other programs are there for the welfare of refugee students?
Mr. Abayomi: RESPECT University - sharing of teaching resources.
Dr. Raza: Who pays the tutors or are they volunteers?
Mr. Abayomi: To my best knowledge they are volunteers.
Dr. Raza: What is the reaction of refugee community towards this developmental program?
Mr. Abayomi: The reaction of refugee community towards this development is great since it is the first time they are experiencing such things.
Dr. Raza: What future programs do you have to promote refugee education?
Mr. Abayomi: Publicity: Create more awareness among other refugee camps in Nigeria and graduate formally students of RESPECT University in an organized gathering.