NYSC COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Report, Gombe

The community development project included;

1. Training of 100+ physically challenged (deaf and dumb) students in ICT
2. Organizing Career workshops in 2 schools - an event we tagged (Career TOUR).
3. Mentoring 33 marginalized girls in life skills, soft skills under the Mercy Corps ENGINE scheme
4. Donation of 2 internet enabled computer sets to a public school that is considered lacking in ICT infrastructure

TRAINING OF 100+ PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED STUDENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CENTER, GOMBE.

For the space 1 month+, we where able to train 100+ physically challenged senior students in ICT literacy and soft skills. The students ranged from 14 to 22 years from SS1 to SS3.

This is particularly relevant because it better enhances their interactions with the world and enhances greater creativity. The students (although having an ICT facility) has never gotten access to computer operation due to the lack of a teacher.

This was why we saw the need to equip them with this invaluable skill that would scale their creativity, increase self esteem and better position them for productivity in a society such as ours.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING TOUR

Through the space of 3 months, we took the liberty to visit schools in the Gombe community; educating students in Career Development to enable them make better career choices not influenced by peers or background.

The training was a 3 hour straight lecture for all Institutions and featured;

1. SPECIALIZED SEMINAR: This session featured experienced facilitators in divers fields of Science, Art and Social science educating students in these fields on the tactics needed to scale in these specialized paths. Students were divided accordingly for 25mins.

2. PANEL DISCUSSIONS: This session featured facilitators sharing (by Experience) knowledge on intricate matters as it concerns Career Development.

3. GAMES AND QUIZZES: Some questions were asked and gifts awarded to appropriate answers, the questions comprised of religious, educational and reasoning as it applied to Career Development.

4. CAREER TALK: Which was one of the major events featured a Frank talk on what it entails to choose a suitable career and the relevant stages to career accomplishment.

5. CAREER COUNSELING: This was a one on one session where students who are bothered with personal questions sought counsel from selected members (facilitators) as it relates to career choice and development.

AFTER MATHS ACTIONS: Few girls where identified and recommended for extra moral lessons in mathematics to be sponsored by Hassan Aminat for the period of 1 year. This was after one of the girls in counseling expressed displeasure in her current performance which was due to an inability to comprehend the subject matter.

MENTORING 33 MARGINALIZED GIRLS IN LIFE SKILLS

A total of 33 girls from Junior Secondary School, Tunfure, Gombe state where carefully selected with recommendations from the school management and with a written approval from parents and guardian; these girls where - through the space of one year August 2021 to July 2022 trained and mentored in life skills such as but not limited to;

1. Entrepreneurship
2. Baking skills
3. Saving skills
4. Study skills

Practical sessions where organized on weekends where experts thought basic skills to these 33 and other interested adolescent neighbours. These trainings also informed them on how to use local tools common in the house hold to begin a venture.

Mentoring sessions held every Thursday for the space of 1 hour, here experts where also employed intermittently to threat peculiar topics such as - Menstrual hygiene.

After 1 year, the students where exhaustively educated through life skills through Mercy Corp ENGINE (Educating Nigeria Girl In New Enterprise) scheme.

DONATION OF 2 COMPUTER SETS

The above school, being a public school lacked ICT facilities, students have complained that they've only learnt theoretical aspects of the computer but have never had access to such facilities therefore making the subject vague and none relatable.

We therefore thought of a way to make our little contribution by making provision of 2 sets of internet enabled computer sets with the help of other sponsors.

AWARDS

These projects did not go unnoticed; either by the local government we affected, the NYSC scheme or the state Government.

First, I was awarded a TRADITIONAL TITLE (a rare opportunity in these lands) by the traditional ruler of the London Mai Dorowa Community in person of his excellency Mai Musa as the "Mai Kawo Fasaha" translated to mean "Bringer of Technology" of that community.

Secondly, I was awarded "Most Outstanding Community Development Project" by the state Government of Gombe state in conjunction with the NYSC body.

I was given several commendation letters from;

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology, ICT and innovations
2. The Ministry of Community Development
3. The association of deaf and dumb Community, Gombe
4. The DOMA Foundation, Gombe
5. Government Girls Secondary School, DOMA
6. Government Comprehensive Senior Secondary School
7. Government Junior Secondary School, Tunmfure
8. London Mai Dorowa Community
9. Special Secondary School, London Mai Dorowa and so on.

It was quite a challenging project as it was inspired by the level of ICT and Career illiteracy in the community. But it was a success because we had persons who dedicated their time, efforts and funds to ensure that we made our impact.

Will be adding pictures sooner