Nigeria – Generation Change

Upcycler in Nigeria weaves colorful livelihood

mueserk — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 11:05:36 +0000

Do you know what happens to the leftover fabric when your clothes are made? Esther Uwem Etim, 25, from Nigeria wanted to keep valuable materials from going to waste, so she started collecting unused textiles and turning them into beautiful rugs.

As part of the Village Weavers Project, Esther doesn’t upcycle by herself. She’s trained more than 100 low-income women to make the rugs, which are now being sold all over the world. The project isn’t just good for the environment, it provides a livelihood to those in need.

Listen to the report by Nonye Aghaji in Abuja, Nigeria:

http://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/files/Upcycler-in-Nigeria-weaves-colorful-livelihood.mp3

Esther brings together beauty and practicality in her work (Photo: N. Aghaji)

Esther has instructed dozens of women on how to weave the rugs (Photo. N. Aghaji)

Ruth Zhumbul helps sell the rugs to customers abroad (Photo: N. Aghaji)

Lifelong learning for kids in rural Nigeria

mueserk — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 10:32:36 +0000

Simon Patrick Obi from Nigeria built a library at a school in the rural region of Ketti just outside the capital, Abuja, during his time of national youth service. But even after his obligation was finished, he went back because he saw that more needed to be done to support not only the kids’ education, but also their health.

Simon found that just building a library wasn’t enough – he is now making sure it’s being put to good use so the students there get an education that will lead to a brighter future. But that’s not all – he’s also inspiring the next generation of youth to go on an make a difference too.

Listen to the report by Nonye Aghaji in Abuja, Nigeria:

http://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/files/Lifelong-learning-in-rural-Nigeria.mp3

Simon says most of the students come from farming families and he feels education can make a huge difference in their lives (Photo: N. Aghaji)

Dance for unity in Nigeria

mueserk — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 11:56:13 +0000

In Nigeria, country with many languages and ethnic groups, Thomas believes that people shouldn’t be judged on their background. He’s now bringing thousands of young people together with a unique unity dance.

Listen to the report by Nonye Aghaji in Abuja, Nigeria:

Dance for unity in Nigeria

Thomas draws out the traditional elements of Nigera’s ethnic groups (Photo: N. Aghaji)

Thomas in action (Photo: N. Aghaji)

Thomas has brought the unity dance to thousands of young people in his community (Photo: N. Aghaji)

Nigerian gives blood to save lives

admin — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 12:43:32 +0000

How many times have you donated blood? A young man in Nigeria is so concerned about saving lives that he co-founded Club 25, enouraging others to donate blood 25 times before their 25th birthday. Women in childbirth are in particular need of fresh blood transfusions.

Listen to the report by Nonye Aghaji in Abuja, Nigeria:

Nigerian gives blood to save lives

Abdullahi Idris gives blood as often as he can

Abdullahi encouraged his friend, Hussein, to donate as well