Nigeria Trip March 2012 Monday, April 23rd, 2012 at 7:08 am
I remember the first time I visited Nigeria after being in the United States for eight consecutive years. The minute I got out of the plane, feeling the heat and breathing the air, I smiled uncontrollably. The same thing happened to me on March 15th, 2012 when I landed in Nigeria for a two week trip
representing Poverty Stops Here (PSH). Ultimately, representing everyone who has ever given anything (be it money, time, prayer) to PSH.
I went to Nigeria to ensure our projects were being executed as planned and to figure out how we could become better stewards of the hard-earned resources you have entrusted into our hands. The 2012 PSH trip was easily the most reassuring trip I have made so far. I met people that have received loans (loans that are only possible through your donations), I gave a presentation about PSH and service to a group of University of Lagos law students, I visited all our partner communities, including Balogun village, and I met with our partner organizations on the ground. At the end of the trip, I left Nigeria with unquestionable knowledge about the importance of our work and why we must continue down this path.
The PSH 2012 trip has set us on course to accomplish a lot this year. We currently have plans to invest over $50,000 in five different communities in 2012. In addition to that, we have made the strategic decision to invest in education in some of our communities. See Education Investment for more information on how we plan to invest in and support our education efforts.
As I traveled across different cities in Nigeria I realized that Nigeria, like Africa, is not a foregone conclusion. Our generation has an unprecedented opportunity to rid the world of the kind of poverty that should only be in history books. Perhaps its that “unprecedented opportunity” that puts an uncontrollable smile on my face every time I am greeted by the hot air in the country.
Thank you for joining us as we work to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in our world. God bless you… and God bless Nigeria.
Efosa
for Poverty Stops Here
