Backstory:

Early in 2019, Global Shout traveled to the West African nation of Nigeria. After conducting some regional surveys and interviews, we chose a small village named Tudun Wada, in the state of Nasarawa, for our first project in Africa, to assist their community in obtaining clean water for thousands, and new school facilities for their children. They have approximately 400 households, with a population between 1500-2000 people (no official census exists). They do not have proper access to clean water due to a shifting water table and ineffective old borehole and well, minimal electricity with no access to the power grid, and shoddy school facilities. Nigeria is a country of over 100 million people, with a government known for corruption, so many people will never have an improved life or hope for it, due to a greater demand than ability to supply.

Global Shout’s initiative:

Our goal for this initiative was initially to raise a minimum of $2000, but with your help we have gone above and beyond that goal! After extensive analysis and discussions with engineers and local villagers over the past two months regarding topics such as boreholes, river canal access, water filtration, green energy generation methods, and school needs, we decided to focus on our clean water initiative first. Calculating the amount of water needed per person for drinking, bathing, laundry, and cooking, while teaching them water recycling, the amount of $2000 is appropriate for long term clean water maintenance by establishing a new borehole and well to access their current water table. The cost of continuously filtering their water and establishing a canal to prevent long travel distances would be far higher and not a permanent solution. We will still test the water from the well for minerals and infectious disease, and give them proper knowledge for filtration through the use of activated charcoal and UV light, respectively.

UPDATE: WE HAVE RAISED THE MONEY FOR THE BOREHOLE AND WELL, AND SUCCESSFULLY BUILT THEM WITH RUNNING WATER FLOWING FOR 5000 VILLAGERS!
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We have surpassed our $2000 goal so we can focus on phase 2 of the project, which is purchasing benches for the schoolchildren to sit on comfortably in class and completing the construction of unfinished buildings on school grounds. One bench can support two children, and there are 1500 children in the school. A total of 750 benches are needed, 500 benches for their secondary school, and 250 for the primary school. Each bench costs $11. The math comes out to approximately $8400.  Currently, only 750 kids can go to school at one time, as they have only one building with a roof that has three classes each fitting over 200 kids. The younger half of the school, grades K-6, attend class from 8 am to 12 noon, and the older kids, grade 7-12, attend from 12 noon to 4 pm. There are only 3 teachers, each responsible for teaching hundreds of kids at the same time. The lack of one on one tutoring, limited time period per day in school due to lack of building facilities, intensity of 35 to 40 degree celsius heat without air condition and water, and poor conditions with broken benches and tables, prevents kids from attaining the level of education they deserve, and severely limits their opportunity to achieve their full potential and pursue a higher college or vocational education. As a result, they usually leave school, get involved in violence and crime, or continue their family history of working in jobs that pay limited amounts of money that barely allow for survival (average salary is 19,000 naira or $55 per month, while the price of a bag of rice that lasts a month is also 19,000 naira). If we can raise $8400 for the benches and tables, we will pursue raising another $5600, which can pay for the completion of the other two buildings which currently stand roofless with only a foundation. If we can finish these buildings, all the kids can go to school 8 hours per day and the teachers will have the ability to focus their attention on a smaller group of kids, enhancing the quality of education.

Simultaneously, we are working in conjuction with our founder, Ali’s alma mater, Annandale High School, to set up a cross cultural pen pal project connecting students between the two school and nations, to initiate positive dialogue, education, and friendships for their future. This part of the project is already up and running, and expanding rapidly.

If we complete phase 2, the next phase would focus on electricity and the generation of green energy. The village is too far removed from the Abuja power grid, so traditional electricity generation is not possible. Their current electricity comes and goes far too often, with unreliable generators being their only means for light, so for long term they will need a solution. Due to starting from scratch, Africa is a great breeding ground for green energy for future benefits of preventing climate destruction. However, solar energy is far too expensive, at $1000 per household. Water and wind generation are equally too expensive for our likely fundraising budget at this time. But we will continue to work with this village in the future through my NGO, Global SHOUT, to attempt to rectify this situation with further donations.

In review:

School benches/tables = $11 x 750 = $8400

School building = $5600

Please donate to assist us in this endeavor, even if it’s just a dollar, as all of it helps:

www.gofundme.com/manage/clean-water-access-for-nigerian-village

We could also use volunteers to help directly or indirectly with logistics. Thank you!