
For 12 months I will be working as a Business Development Facilitator with Ipaja Community Link (ICL) in Lagos. ICL is a community-based organisation involved in providing skills acquisition, business support and HIV/AIDS support programmes to local community groups, working with women and youth groups. I will be primarily using my knowledge from Christian Aid to help strenthen ICL’s youth volunteer programme, assist with the creation of job opportunities for youth in the Ipaja community and increase the awareness of the role and contribution of national volunteers in development. Whilst doing this, I will also be networking with government and other civil society volunteering agencies to share learning and providing support to youth mentors through peer-to-peer education.
Nigeria faces many development challenges. It is Africa’s most populous country with a staggering population of almost 150 million – almost 5% of the world’s entire population – and at the country’s current 2.38% rate of growth, one that could reach 200 million by 2020. Lagos has a population of about 13 – 17 million and is one of the largest cities in Africa with many sprawling and overcrowded shanty towns. Nigeria has one of the lowest levels of modern family planning use in the world and quality health services are hard to find throughout the country, as well as cultural and social pressures also limiting access to family planning. The enormous population stretches the availability of food, services and infrastructure. Almost half the population live below the poverty line of 1$ a day and an estimated 4 million people are currently living with the HIV virus. Nigeria is a country of contrasts. It is Africa's leading oil producer; it should be Africa’s economic giant, but it isn’t.

Africa is our most misunderstood continent – I realised this when I travelled to West Africa in 2006. It touched my heart and I will be hoping to make a positive and lasting impact in the Ipaja Community in Lagos over the coming months.
As I find out more about my placement and as I prepare to leave, I will keep you updated through this blog!
1 comment:
Hi Jen! Good look with all your preparations! Take a look at one of the Chimanda Ngozi Adichie books - 'Purple Hibiscus' or 'Half of a Yellow Sun' if you haven't already. An obvious suggestion maybe, as they've got lots of attention, but they really are good.
Helen Habila is good too!
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