Duration:1 year.
Cost:13,200 euros (finance shared with the Bio Medical University in Rome)

Background: In Africa, exposure to all diseases, but especially to infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, highly correlates with poor living conditions, personal hygiene and the relevant knowledge of primary prevention of the diseases, avoiding risky behavior, etc. Nigeria has an epidemic of such diseases and soon it will be home to more people living with HIV than any other country in Africa. Those most affected are women and children. It is widely known that, due to various social customs, young Nigerian girls are especially vulnerable to risky conduct that leads to HIV/AIDS. Besides a health education strategy, an authentic social defense is also required to promote the holistic well-being of school age girls.

Objective: While the Biomedical University of Rome takes care of educating the young women with appropriate scientific knowledge about personal health, the human body and sexuality, our commitment is to strengthen character and build self-esteem in adolescent girls in 13 rural schools through specific extracurricular socio-cultural activities. By introducing the young women to positive role models of women leaders in History, Theater, the Arts, Fashion and Literature, - both African-and-Internationally-recognized—, the girls will be allowed to discover their potential role on the world stage. By raising their cultural awareness of a world much larger than their immediate environs, the Harambee aspect of the program provides a deep-rooted strategy for a more complete emancipation of the African woman through cultural enrichment. The young girls will discover for themselves not only greater self-knowledge, but a broader world consciousness too. The girls will be encouraged to emulate the intelligence, imagination and overall awareness of human dignity which empowers women (the world over) to understand the value of their minds, bodies and spirits. Instead of limiting itself to technical and scientific knowledge alone, this pro-active, holistic education points the girls toward a more intelligent and hopeful, personal and collective future.

Beneficiaries :
50 students from secondary schools in each of the 13 rural schools which participate in the programme of qualification. In total:650 students of a secondary school level.

Rural water supply and sanitation project, Obukpa Nsukka

Local Entity :
Educational Co-operation Society
Synthetic data of the project :
Harambee contribution : € 39,565.30
Contribution from local organization (Educational Co-Operation Society) : € 11,243.00
Project Duration : 2003-2004

The project set up awareness days for adults and schoolchildren in Nsukka, Nigeria, to teach the basic principles of intelligent use of water in a situation of chronic water shortage. Additionally about 135 families benefit from a new water-supply in one district in the area thanks to Harambee’s contribution.

Description of the project :
In Nigeria in the area of Nsukka, after digging a well for water and laying water-pipes to surrounding villages, training courses were held to educate the local population on health questions linked to poor-quality water and on the elements of personal hygiene and cleanliness in the home.

Improving rural medical services at the Abidagba Health Centre

Local Entity :
ECS - Women's Board. Iloti, Ogun State
Harambee contribution: 35,718.75 €
Duration: 1 year

Description of the project :
Within 12 months, the board will undertake an activity aimed at improving the Health care services provided for the inhabitants of Iloti, in the State of Ogun. A campaign will also be implemented to promote the importance of medical treatment and the need to receive it with the purpose of reducing the mortality rate within the area. The project includes sending medicine to the region and ultrasound machines for diagnosis. 5000 people from all age groups are estimated to benefit from the project. Most of these people are illiterate and are predominantly from the Yoruba ethnic group. There are Ibos and Hausas.

House calls as well as free medical check ups for everybody in the area will be provided for. This population generally prefers traditional medicine and herbs to modern medical techniques in health centres. Thus, the task involves overcoming the resistance from patients to receive health care. One of the doctors at the General Hospital has offered to give a hand in the clinic. Courses on basic health care and hygiene have also been prepared and will be carried out in the areas around the clinic.