As we begin a new month, I find myself thinking about the last three months and the prospects that lie ahead for the rest of the year. We will always be thankful to our Board, partners, and donors and to our staff whose support has contributed massively to achieving our mission in the first quarter of the year 2022.
With funding from the People of Japan and support from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the “Support for Social Stability and Security of Conflict-Affected Communities in North-East and Middle-Belt of Nigeria Project, CLHEI successfully implemented her mandate to support VSLAs with Capacity Development, Technical Support and Matching Grant to add to the Associations revolving funds. See Progress Report
In the same momentum, CLHEI with Support from IPAS in partnership with Education as a Vaccine carried out sensitization & dissemination of copies of the simplified version of the VAPP (Violence Against Persons Prohibition) Law in English and other local languages to constituents of Agatu and Vandeikya LGAs of Benue State. 120 persons were reached across the 2 LGAs in order to help improve awareness on the VAPP Law and reduce incidences of Gender Base Violence in the target communities.
CLHEI continues to restate her commitment to prohibit all forms of violence against persons in private and public life; provide effective remedies for victims and punishment for offenders.
In a bid to meet the needs of displaced & vulnerable populations, CLHEI distributed food & non-food items to orphan children living in Divine Charity Works International – an orphanage home operating in Makurdi, the Benue state Capital. (see Report) Also, further distribution of clothes was carried out to women & children in Gbatse Community in Ushongo LGA, Benue State. (see Report). On this note, we want to specially appreciate the continued partnership of United Helping Hearts Texas, for their unwavering support to meeting the needs of vulnerable & displaced populations.
As we kick start activities for the 2nd quarter of the year, we are excited about plans to commence massive voter awareness /education and continuous voter registration in 3 IDP Camps & 5 host communities, contributing to increased participation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the electoral process, especially in the run-up to and during the 2023 general elections in Benue State.
Also, as we prepare for the rains, we are championing the “Sack Technology” farming technique for growing yams under our Climate Smart Agriculture framework for displaced populations living in IDP Camps in Benue State. Sensitizations have been carried out to relevant stakeholders in this regard and this month, CLHEI would commence training of IDPs & host community members to embrace this farming technique.
While we look forward to implement planned programs, we will also commemorate global observances for the month of April (World Health Day, International Girls in ICT Day, World Malaria Day). We remain open to productive partnerships with relevant bodies and organizations as we continue to give ourselves to the service of humanity.
Lastly, I urge all staff of Community Links and Human Empowerment to continue to offer their highest self even in this 2nd quarter of the year, as we continue to diligently link communities and change lives.
Thank You!
Dr. Helen Teghtegh
