The Foundation is pleased to report that ‘Mission Africa 2009’ was a great success! The Mission consisted of three parts: Medical Mission Africa 2009, Educational Mission 2009, and Youth Empowerment Mission 2009.

Medical Mission Africa 2009 led by Dr. MgBodile was conducted in December. This marked the foundation’s fi rst project, raising fi nancial and other resources, toward improving access to basic medical care. About half of the resources raised by the foundation were used to provide, among other things, one week of free medical clinics in three villages in Enugu state of Nigeria: Abor, Ukana and Awhum. Medical services were provided to over 1,000 people using existing church buildings, schools, village squares, and other facilities. Activities included free medical screenings, treatment of minor illnesses, and referrals for people experiencing serious medical problems. The MRF used local doctors, nurses and medical students, with most of these professionals providing services at no cost.

Education Mission 2009: The foundation met with the local school offi cials and visited with the children to help understand the challenges these students face every day. It was established that the school needs books, basic supplies, visual aides, windows, a roof over part of the school needs repair, and other basic school equipment. Following this meeting, the foundation decided to concentrate efforts to provide school scholarships; books for core courses (reading, writing, and math ); visual aides for core courses, and other basic school supplies. The foundation’s focus, for children in grades K-6, will be on increasing children’s mastery of basic reading, writing, and math skills; raising student academic expectations and self-esteem; and empowering parents to develop effective mentoring relationships with their children. For children and adolescents in grades 7-12, the focus will be on providing remedial instruction for students performing below grade level. This will help prepare these learners to take the West African Examination Certifi cate (WAEC) and increase the odds that they will pass it. We will assist the teachers in preparing lessons and teaching materials for the children by providing four ‘netbook’ or ‘laptop’ computers and other supplies.

Youth Empowerment Mission 2009: Dr. MgBodile met with nearly 400 youths from the surrounding villages to talk about challenges they are facing with finding work, attending school, and other life issues. They expressed concerns that their villages could not provide
them with a future. There are few local jobs and they are limited options for them to seek higher education due to lack of funds. Given so few choices, these youths have been leaving the villages for the larger cities where they try to fi nd jobs and to attend school. Often they do not secede and have to return to the village feeling disheartened. It soon became clear that these youths felt defeated and trapped. Dr. MgBodile challenged them to become active leaders within their community, to help one another raise funds for school, start their own business, and to be mentors and role models for the younger children in the village. At the conclusion of the meeting these youths had agreed to form a committee to work towards establishing an annual Youth Symposium and to sponsor participation in the annual AYA Pageant (it has been over 2 decades since youths of the village have participated in this Pageant.) The foundation will continue to provide guidance and couching, help them raise funds for the Youth Symposium and Workshop, provide business start-up grants, and work with local business leaders to establish a youth vocational On-The-Job training program.