mlg newsletter

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APRIL 2010 www.mgesolutions.org www.makinglocalglobal.org A lamp in the Creeks Shining in the peaceful Ogan-ama community, is a woman who has chosen to devote her time and re- sources to the community by capacity development. After several decades in the United Kingdom, Mrs. Grace Care chose to spend her retirement years in service to her hometown. She stud- ied and became certified in Microsoft and International Computer Drivers Licence (ICDL), in order to transfer the acquired skills to the Youth in her community. Thus far, she has done an amazing job. The Foundation is working in partnership with her, to further this honorable cause. Making Local GLobal A Decade Long Dream It all began in the year 2000, when the Etomi twins - Mike and George, returned to Okrika to bury their mother. They were deeply moved by the state of the community. The twins grew up in Okrika Island and later left for further studies. Mike read medicine and now practices in Charlotte, NC, USA, while George practices law in Lagos, Nigeria. Upon returning to their boyhood town, they discovered that the reality was now poverty, despair and crime. Troubled by these discoveries and after several consultations and research, M&G Etomi Foundation – a 501 © 3 – tax – exempt, non-profit organization – was born with the hope that the youth and community at large would get a second chance. As part of the effort to drive the message to the grassroots, the Nigerian arm, MGE Solutions was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. This explains the name, M&G Etomi Foundation/MGE Solutions. Mission To provide opportunities and resources to empower the Niger Delta community in breaking the cycle of poverty. Vision To be the leading organization for facilitating change and developing and sus- taining programs in the Niger Delta community. Making Local GLobal Making Local GLobal (MLG) is a campaign, and the vehicle through which the foundation achieves its aim. MLG is focused on 3 areas: Sports, Health and Education. The official newsletter of M&G Etomi Foundation/MGE Solutions A Slum in High Street Ikpukulu is an Island and a fishing settlement in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. It is just a few paddles away from Port Har- court, the capital city of Rivers State. Despite itʼs proximity to the oil-rich city, visiting the community is like stepping back in time through a portal. It has no electricity supply, no potable water supply (residents canoe to Port Harcourt to buy drinking water), no healthcare facilities and no access roads. The water pollution makes it really difficult for the fishermen. In spite of these handicaps, the people of Ikpukulu are warm and friendly, and seem resolved to make the most of life as they know it. Ikpukulu is just one of the many stories in the Niger Delta. If a community so close to Port Harcourt is in such deplorable state, what will be the state of the communities located further into the creeks?

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Official Newsletter of M&G Etomi Foundation/MGE Solutions.

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Page 1: Mlg Newsletter

APRIL 2010

www.mgesolutions.org www.makinglocalglobal.org

A lamp in the Creeks

Shining in the peaceful Ogan-ama community, is a woman who has chosen to devote her time and re-sources to the community by capacity development.

After several decades in the United Kingdom, Mrs. Grace Care chose to spend her retirement years in service to her hometown. She stud-ied and became certified in Microsoft and International Computer Drivers Licence (ICDL), in order to transfer the acquired skills to the Youth in her community. Thus far, she has done an amazing job.

The Foundation is working in partnership with her, to further this honorable cause.

Making Local GLobalA Decade Long Dream

It all began in the year 2000, when the Etomi twins - Mike and George, returned to Okrika to bury their mother. They were deeply moved by the state of the community. The twins grew up in Okrika Island and later left for further studies. Mike read medicine and now practices in Charlotte, NC, USA, while George practices law in Lagos, Nigeria.

Upon returning to their boyhood town, they discovered that the

reality was now poverty, despair and crime. Troubled by these discoveries and after several consultations and research, M&G Etomi Foundation – a 501 © 3 – tax – exempt, non-profit organization – was born with the hope that the youth and community at large would get a second chance. As part of the effort to drive the message to the grassroots, the Nigerian arm, MGE Solutions was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. This explains the name, M&G Etomi Foundation/MGE Solutions.

MissionTo provide opportunities and resources to empower the Niger Delta community in breaking the cycle of poverty.

VisionTo be the leading organization for facilitating change and developing and sus-taining programs in the Niger Delta community.

Making Local GLobalMaking Local GLobal (MLG) is a campaign, and the vehicle through which the foundation achieves its aim.

MLG is focused on 3 areas: Sports, Health and Education.

The official newsletter of M&G Etomi Foundation/MGE Solutions

A Slum in High StreetIkpukulu is an Island and a fishing settlement in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. It is just a few paddles away from Port Har-court, the capital city of Rivers State. Despite itʼs proximity to the oil-rich city, visiting the community is like stepping back in time through a portal. It has no electricity supply, no potable water supply (residents canoe to Port Harcourt to buy drinking water), no healthcare facilities and no access roads. The water pollution makes it really difficult for the fishermen. In spite of these handicaps, the people of Ikpukulu are warm and friendly, and seem resolved to make the most of life as they know it.Ikpukulu is just one of the many stories in the Niger Delta. If a community so close to Port Harcourt is in such deplorable state, what will be the state of the communities located further into the creeks?

Page 2: Mlg Newsletter

www.mgesolutions.org www.makinglocalglobal.org

Our Programs

LEARN AND GROWThis is a variety of educational programs tailored to equip the trainees with various practical and intellectual skills. Seasoned professionals in diverse fields communicate part of their knowledge to beneficiaries. The foundation awards certificates to participants at the end of each Learn and Grow program.

MGE TRIVIAThis is a quiz competition that tests participants on a wide range of endeavors, including the things learned at the “Learn and Grow” programs. Winners of these competitions are not just given prizes but are assisted in the furtherance of their education – formal and informal.

MGE SPORTSSport competitions are organized by the foundation to channel the energies of the youth to meaningful activities. The foundation is currently focused on soccer, but plans are underway to expand the program to include basketball, tennis, volleyball and swimming. Participants will benefit from mentoring and health awareness programs.

MLG COMMUNITIESCommunities in which the foundation has presence are called MLG Communities. These communities benefit from the foundation's activities. MLG currently has 5 communities: Ogoloma, Abam, Ogan-ama, Firisika Polo and Ikpukulu-bie.

One Creek at a TimeWhen the foundation decides to admit a new community into it's fold, it organizes an inauguration program called One Creek at a Time. During the event, volunteers and friends of the foundation, visit the community and hold awareness talks. The team interacts with the members of the community, and takes a tour in order to determine their needs. The event is crowned with a novelty football (soccer) match between the new community and the MLG team (comprising of selected players from all the existing MLG community). This is a symbolic gesture of welcome extended to the new com-munity.

Page 3: Mlg Newsletter

Achievements

• 11 Laptop Computers have acquired by donated to the foundation for use in training.

• 1 Laptop Computer has been donated to the same purpose.

• The first batch of trainees from all 5 communities have commenced training in Microsoft certification and Interna-tional Computer Drivers License (these trainees will even-tually be responsible for setting up Community Centers in their respective communities).

• A 1 bedroom apartment was donated by an individual in Ikpukulu for use as a temporary location for a Community Centre. The community has allocated 3 plots of land on which a Community Center will be permanently sited.

• Ogan-ama has allocated land for a Community Centre.

• Abam has also donated land to the foundation for a Com-munity Centre.

• The foundation has successfully organized soccer teams in

each of the 5 Communities.

• All communities have benefited from our numerous ʻLearn and Growʼ programs.

Targets

Our target is the achieve the following in 2015:

• Establish community centers in each of our five MLG communi-ties. Each center will be equipped with a library, lecture rooms, e-learning center, vocational training center and provision for a health center.

• Establish standard sporting facilities in each of our current MLG communities. (Facilities will include soccer, basketball, lawn-tennis, table-tennis, and volleyball.)

• Expand the MGE Sports league to include basketball, lawn-tennis, table-tennis and volleyball.

• To have the MGE Sports league aired on some local television channels and at least one cable television channel.

• Graduate 500 Youth from our ongoing Microsoft Certification and International Computer Drivers License (ICDL) training program.

• Graduate 500 Youth from various e-learning programs.

• Raise 250 entrepreneurs through our Learn and Grow programs.

• Admit ten more Niger Delta communities to the MLG fold.

Page 4: Mlg Newsletter

Our Wish ListBelow are some of the materials needed to expedite the our work;

• Computers - Laptops and desk tops• Internet Service for the proposed Community Centers• Educational softwares• 2 Camcorders• 2 Digital still cameras• 5 Printers and copiers• Sporting gear and equipment for soccer, basketball,

lawn-tennis, table-tennis, and volley ball.• Books and magazines for libraries in the proposed

Community Centers.• Furniture for the proposed Community Centers.• Stipends for volunteers.• Scholarships for deserving students.• Program sponsorship.• Sponsorship of prizes for our competitions.

Needs are not limited to the list above. Anticipated gifts will be appreciated.

How You Can Help

1. Your time:

• Volunteer in our programs.• Connect us to potential partners and supporters.• Promote us by visiting, sharing and participating in

our website, blogs and facebook fanpage.

2. Your intellect:

• Facilitate Learn and Grow programs.• Facilitate capacity building programs for our volun-

teers.

3. Your skill:

• Engage in our projects.• Build capacity in MLG communities.

Your gifts:

• In cash and in kind.

Support will be properly documented, receipt acknowledge, and you can track the progress of each project on our official blog www.makinglocalglobal.org. For more information, contact us through the addresses below.

The M&G Etomi Foundation 5420 Callander Court Charlotte, North Carolina, 28277 USA.

MGE Solutions Lagos 1b Tiamiyu Belo-Osagie Avenue, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.

MGE Solutions Port Harcourt62 Mbonu Street,D/line, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Tel: Calling from Nigeria 084-749953. Outside Nigeria: +234-84-749953 email: [email protected]

www.mgesolutions.org www.makinglocalglobal.org

MAJOR UP COMING EVENTS FOR 2010

S/N EVENTS DATE

1 MGE Sports Festival 10-28 Apr 2010

2 MGE Trivia 17-22 May 2010

3 MLG Summer Splash (Two day vocational training) 17-18 Aug 2010

4 MGE Sports Festival 5-23 Oct 2010

5 MGE Trivia 15-20 Nov 2010

6 MLG end of year concert / award night 11 Dec 2010

Contact