http://awaka.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://awaka.tigblog.org/post/548775 Meeting
Every 1st Saturday of the Month from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.


AND

DAY OF REALITY WITH GOD
Meeting
Every 3rd Friday of the Month from 4:00pm to 6:00pm


Venue: Center for Youth Development
AWAKA GO FORWARD INT'L Corporate Office Ndegbelu Awaka Owerri North L.G.A, Imo State Nigeria.


They are programmes designed to make the difference in your life.

God's method has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Like he did then, He still wants to bless you. He will link your motives with methods without you compromising your life goals.

Noting on the earth should STOP you from Going FORWARD to the top. "The works of your Hands shall yield increase"

If you want attend any of these meetings, for effective planning and execution send your Name, e-mail address, phone number, and residential or office address.

You can donate your skill, money or materials to help us secure the future prevention, care and support services. We will sincerely appreciate your contributions.

Notify us on or before then two weeks before the programme day, contact the below contact information should you require accommodation.

For more Details
Contact

The Executive Director vision bearer;

on +234708641942 and +2348033831740
email us @ awakagofwd@yahoo.com

P.O BOX 132
Owerri


VACANCY:
Vacant position exist at the organization office for young youths interested for the post of community coordinators in any part of the world.
If you are interested contact the above contact information with your resume attached.]]> Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:06:00 EST http://awaka.tigblog.org/post/548775 http://awaka.tigblog.org/post/321479
This years World AIDS DAY took place on 1st December, 2007 at the F. S. P Park, wethral road Owerri. The programme was done in collaboration with AGFICFYD SACA, CISNAHN, SFH and other civil society groups. It commensed with an opening prayer by a Reverend Sister. A welcome address was presented by Dr. B. C. Nwammadu, Imo State Co-ordinator of SACA. He welcomed everybody to the occasion and later called on the commissioner for Health, Dr. Vin Udokwu to give his address. The commissioner commended her Excellency Barrister Mrs. Chioma Ohakim for honouring the invitation to this year’s World Aids day. Celebration. He said that HIV/AIDS has claimed many lives in Imo State. For this reason, SACA in collaboration with other civil society groups set aside 1st December for this occasion. According to him, the World Aids day is meant to help people have a sober reflection on the journey so far in the fight against HIV/AIDS and how to get out of it. He encouraged organization to give PLWHAS a sense of belonging. People should not stigmatize them but show them love and care.

Also in his speech, he lamented that most of our people are still living a lifestyle that will give them chances of contacting HIV/AIDS in spite of the awareness created on the disease. He mentioned the theme of the World Aids day as Leadership. The commissioner said that 10 voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) units will be constitututed by the Ministry of Health come January 2008. He also said that facilities that will provide anti-rectroriaral drugs will be made available in some hospitals. These include: Joint hospital Mbano, General hospital Okigwe etc. finally he enjoined the members of their public to avoid life of promiscuity because they do not own the life they are living but God owns it. After his address, the wife of the Executive Governor of Imo State, Barrister Mrs. Chioma Ohakim stood up to give her address.

Before her address, she shared an ugly experience she had when they visited Uganda. According to her, Uganda is eh heat of HIV/AIDS, AIDS has claimed many lives in Uganda and the oldest person in that country is a child of 9 years old. The Uganda Government has started fighting against this disease from their youths, while their adults are still sexually active. She thanked the organizers of this programme for making 1st of every December, the World Aids day. This she said will help to caution our young girls who will run after the big men returning home for Christmas. These old men will give them money and also give them HIV/AIDS. She therefore advised the young girls to stop sleeping around with such men but should focus their attention on God for solution to their problems. Her advice leaders at every level to help in fighting against this dreaded disease. At the end of her speech, she declared the World Aids day open. There was drama presentation by various groups and peer educators. At the end of the opening ceremony, the wife of Executive Governor of Imo state, Barrister Chioma Ohakim took the lead in the rally. Ngos’s in their T-shirts and caps marched from Mbari Street through wethral road and turned to Mbaise road down to Douglas road. From there the rally continued to a library junction and finally back to F.S.P Park. At the end of the ceremony Evangelist Peter Chima presented food supplements to the support groups and said the closing prayer to mark the end of the World AIDS DAY 2007 – We wish to acknowledge the NGO’s who supported this programme with their cash we wish to thanks

1. Rural people empowerment scheme
2. Awaka go forward Int’l
3. FILOP
4. HRCHAC
5. Nardem
6. FHEHD
7. CODSBEC Foundation
8. Society for the widows
9. Nigeria Youth for Christ
10. CRH
11. Communal Care Centre
12. Imo Youth Network
13. CYDI
14. Society for family health
15. Charles Uka Foundation.

Contact address: Awaka Go Forward Center for Youth Development
NDEGBELU AWAKA, OWERRI NORTH IMO STATE NIGERIA
P. O. BOX 132.
]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:50:00 EST http://awaka.tigblog.org/post/321479 http://awaka.tigblog.org/post/39042
CENTRE FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (A non-profit Development Organization)

Head Office: P. O. Box 132, Ndegbelu Awaka Owerri North, Imo State Nigeria,

Phone: 08033831740, E-mail:awakagofwd@yahoo.com
in collaboration with
GEODORA SAMARITANS INC.

Community Development, Women Empowerment, Poverty Reduction, HIV/AIDS Campaign
Geodora House, 152 Tetlow Road, P. O. Box 273, Phone: 083 231430, Owerri, Imo State.

E-mail: geodora3@yahoo.com; Website: geodora-samaritans.org.

REPORT ON THE WORKSHOP CLASS ON “KEEP THE PROMISE” ON MDGS ITEM NO.6 (HIV/AIDS PREVENTION CONTROL) LETTERS TO THE WORLD HELD ON MONDAY 22ND MAY 2006:

This one-day workshop class tagged: “Keep the Promise” was organized by Awaka Go Forward Int’l in collaboration with Geodora Samaritans Inc.

OPENING:

The workshop opened at 9.30.a.m. with a group prayer at the venue, Geodora House 152 Tetlow Road, Owerri.

ATTENDANCE:

Over 80 participant from within and outside the state were in attendance.

OPENING REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT G.S.I.

The President of Geodora Samaritans Inc. Nze Dr. George Onwuanibe gave opening remarks. His remarks centered on precautions on how to avoid being infected with HIV/AIDS. According to him, since the first reported medical case of HIV/AIDS, millions of lives have been lost to the virus yet millions are getting infected on a daily basis. According to him, the essence of the day’s gathering is to interact with participants, make them understand modes of transmission, how to prevent infection and finally, write to our leaders to keep the promises they have made in relation to people living with HIV/AIDS.

He concluded by wishing all participants a successful workshop class.

1ST CLASS SESSION:

The first class session, which centered on knowing participants’ level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS issues as well as correct their myths and misconceptions, was taken by the Programme Manager of Geodora Samaritans Inc., Mr. Nwamadi Richard O.

In his interaction with participants, Mr. Nwamadi traced the meaning and genesis of HIV/AIDS. He mentioned that the first reported medical case was in the USA in 1981. Since then, according to him, countries all over the world have had several millions of cases resulting to deaths, stigmatization, discrimination, and other attendant problems. He noted that the human body has soldiers that protect it against infections. The HI Virus attacks and destroys these soldiers, making the body prone to infections, which it would have ordinarily fought. As a result, sicknesses called opportunistic infections would be attacking the person like:

prolonged stooling (diarrhea)
severe headache and fever for more than one month;
prolonged coughing for more than one month;
loss of body weight up to 10%
It is as a result of these signs, that the person could be diagnosed and confirmed to be having HIV, although the first few months (3 months) of infection may not indicate the presence of the virus. This is called window period and the person can infect others at this time. He noted that early dictation and possible medical attention could still see the person living positively with the virus for many years if the person can keep to medical directives on how to use the recommended Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARV) and positive behavioural change.

A statistical record of the spread in some countries is as shown below:

SUMMARY OF HIV/AIDS BURDEN ON COUNTRIES:

SN COUNTRY TOTAL
1. South Africa 6.3m
2. India 4.9m
3. Nigeria 3.9m
4. Zimbabwe 1.8m
5. Tanzania 1.6m
6. Ethiopia 1.5m
7. Mozambique 1.3m
8. Kenya 1.2m
9. Democratic Republic of Congo 1.1m
10. USA 960,000
11. Malawi 900,000
12. China 840,000
13. Zambia 820,000
14. Russia 660,000

SUMMARY OF HIV/AIDS BURDEN IN NIGERIA:

SN STATE TOTAL %
1. FCT 8.4%
2. NIGER 7.8%
3. KADUNA 6.0
4. GOMBE 6.8
5. TARABA 6.0
6. EDO 4.3
7. ADAMAWA 7.6
8. PLATUAU 6.3
9. NASARAWA 6.5
10. ENUGU 4.9
11. IMO 3.1
12. ABIA 4.3
13. DELTA 5.0
14. BAYELSA 4.0
15. RIVERS 6.6
16. BORNO 3.2
17. YOBE 3.8
18. ZAMFARA 3.3
19. SOKOTO 4.5
20. OYO 3.9
21. BAUCHI 4.8
22. LAGOS 4.7
23. EKITI 2.0
24. KEBBI 2.5
25. KATSINA 2.8
26. JIGAWA 2.1
27. KANO 4.5
28. BENUE 9.3
29. EDO 4.3
30. KOGI 5.7
31 OSUN 1.2
32. OGUN 1.5
33. AKWA IBOM 7.2
34. C/RIVER 4.5
35. EBONYI 4.9

SUMMARY OF HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC – DECEMBER 2004:

SN PARTICULARS ADULTS WOMEN CHILDREN TOTAL
1. NO. OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS 37.2m 17.8m 2.2m 39.4m
2. People newly infected with HIV/AIDS 2004 4.3m 640,000 4.9m
3. Deaths as a result of AIDS 2.6M 640,000 3.1M
4. No. of PLWHA in Sub-Saharan Africa 25.4m
5. Deaths as a result of AIDS in SS Africa 2.3m
6. No. of PLWHA in Nigeria 3.8m

(No. in millions)

During the interactive session, Mr. Nwamadi corrected a lot of myths and misconception on HIV/AIDS, which include:

That HIV can be cured through having sexual intercourse with a virgin; (false)
Taking one’s urine can cure HIV, (false)
HIV can be contracted through juju or evil spirit; (false)
HIV can be contracted through insect bites (false)
HIV is a punishment from God to stop people from living immoral live styles (subject to dialogue)
Mr. Nwamadi noted the following as possible ways of getting infected:

Through unprotected sexual intercourse (anal, oral or vaginal) with an infected person;
Through sharing body-piercing objects (clippers, blades, needles, etc)
Through transfusion of infected blood to an uninfected person;
Through infected mother to unborn child (MTCT)
He went further to note that HIV cannot be transmitted through the following:

physical body contact with infected person when there is no open wound;
insect bites,
sleeping, eating, and using toilet facilities together,
Sneezing or coughing.
He advised that infected pregnant mothers should hasten to health care providers for directive on anti-retroviral, the drugs that slow down the effect of the virus.

After entertaining questions from participants, he concluded his lecture.

2ND CLASS SESSION:

This session was taken by Miss Iheoma Okoro, Programme Officer for Awaka Go forward Int’l. She shared real life stories of people living with HIV/AIDS. Her talk centered on how People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are discriminated against, stigmatized and denied of their human rights. Lots of participants were emphatic in this session and gave their real life experiences.

3RD CLASS SESSION:

Mr. Nwamadi handled this session. He tried to let participants know why it is important for us to speak with one voice concerning keeping the promise made to PLWHA. He noted that at the 2001 United Nations General Assembly Special Session, (UNGASS) held in New York, The President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as well as other world leaders gave 8 Goals tagged “Millenium Development Goals” to be met by the year 2015. According to him, although the governments at various levels are doing their best, yet a lot needed to be done to meet these goals hence we should speak with one voice and remind them of their promises.

This session was participatory as all participants were grouped into five to bring up their ideas and contributions on how best to address this issue. After the group work, there was group presentation.

4TH CALSS SESSION:

This session was taken after tea break. It was centered on directing participants on how to write the Keep the Promise letters. Mr. Nwamadi and Miss Okoro jointly handled this. The official ways of writing letters were discussed as well as the very topic and contents of the letter.

COLLATION AND DISPATCH:

At the expiration of the letter writing session, the letters were collated, parceled and dispatched to New York, venue for the 2006 United Nations General Assembly Special Session between 31st May and 2nd June 2006 at which the Head of States and Commander in Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo would be attending.

CLOSING:

On exhausting the agenda, Mrs. Emelda Ihekwaba led a closing prayer at 4.30p.m. After which Mr. Nwamadi granted an interview session on the workshop class, outcome and successful completion.

APPRECIATION:

I wish to congratulate the Organizers of this workshop class for painstakingly seeing to its completion. Of special mention is the President of Geodora Samaritans Inc. Nze Dr. George Onwuanibe who single handedly sponsored the workshop class.

Also of note are Evangelist Peter Chima and Iheoma Okoro of Awaka Go Forward Int’l for their initiative and contributions; my co-workers, who made very frantic contributions in one way or the other to see to the success of this workshop class.

Finally, I thank God for His gift of life and knowledge to plan and execute this workshop class. To all of you I owe a special credit.

Nwamadi, Richard O.

Programme Manager,

G. S. I.

REPORT ON THE WORKSHOP CLASS ON

“KEEP THE PROMISE”

ON MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGS) ITEM NO.6 (HIV/AIDS PREVENTION CONTROL)

LETTERS TO THE WORLD

ORGANIZED BY:

AWAKA GO FORWARD INT’L
CENTRE FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (A non-profit Development Organization)

Head Office: P. O. Box 132, Ndegbelu Awaka Owerri North, Imo State Nigeria,

Phone: 08033831740, E-mail:awakagofwd@yahoo.com
in collaboration with
GEODORA SAMARITANS INC.

Community Development, Women Empowerment, Poverty Reduction, HIV/AIDS Campaign
Geodora House, 152 Tetlow Road, P. O. Box 273, Phone: 083 231430, Owerri, Imo State.

E-mail: geodora3@yahoo.com; Website: geodora-samaritans.org.

DATE:

MONDAY 22ND MAY 2006:

VENUE:

GEODORA HOUSE, 152 TETLOW ROAD

OWERRI, IMO STATE NIGERIA.

PRESENTED BY:

MR. NWAMADI, RICHARD O.

PROGRAMME MANAGER,

GEODORA SAMARITANS INC.

]]> Mon, 22 May 2006 10:11:00 EDT http://awaka.tigblog.org/post/39042 http://awaka.tigblog.org/post/17742 Wed, 29 Jun 1966 00:00:00 EDT http://awaka.tigblog.org/post/17742