JF COMMUNITY CENTRE

Jeffery Ikeaka Foundation is delighted to be building a community centre in Dikenafai, a rural village in South East Nigeria. Jeffery Ikeaka Community Center will be designed to serve as an avenue where children, youths, and community members will have the opportunity to access educational, recreational, entrepreneurship, advocacy and health programs. 


ABOUT JEFFERY IKEAKA FOUNDATION http://jefferyikeakafoundation.org/ 

Jeffery Ikeaka Foundation is an international non-governmental organization focuses on empowering children, youths, and internally displaced persons in Nigeria and homeless people in Toronto.  We are currently building a community centre in Dikenafai, a rural community in South East Nigeria.

CORE VALUES- Empowerment, Local and International Outreach, Sustainability, Kindness and Education.


OUR STORY 

Our founder Jeffery Ikeaka was inspired  to start a foundation to carter to needs of the less privileged after he raised funds for typhoon Hiyan victims; one of the worst typhoon on record to hit the Philippines in November  2013 as a student at  Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.  He campaigned for 3 days, speaking to fellow students and professors, and together, he was able to  raise $1000 for victims. After the success of the fundraiser, Jeffery found his calling and believed he  had the potential to make a difference for vulnerable people and in 2015 Jeffery Ikeaka Foundation was launched. Since 2015, Jeffery Ikeaka Foundation has been building a community centre and empowering children, youths, internally displaced and homeless people. 


CURRENT STATE OF JEFFERY IKEAKA COMMUNITY CENTRE

HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. 

Education is regarded as an instrument for national development and social change as well as the process of preparing individuals to become a functional and acceptable member of the society, it is widely recognized as a tool for addressing issues of poverty, underdevelopment, illiteracy, ignorance, gender exclusion, conflicts, human right as well as sustainability.

Rural areas in Nigeria are characterized by series of under-developmental problems such as poor infrastructure and health facilities, bad road networks, and lack of access to clean drinking water. These developmental problems are believed to be challenges affecting the process of educating children in rural communities in Nigeria.

The Jeffery Ikeaka Foundation understands the gap in the education system in rural communities and is initiating several programs that will bridge the gap. 

PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE OFFERED AT JEFFERY IKEAKA COMMUNITY CENTRE-

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS 

Investing in after school programs will help children of rural communities break out of the cycle of poverty and create opportunities.  In areas where prospects and resources are limited, after school programs are often the only source of supplemental enrichment in literacy, recreation, education and technology. After school programs offer an effective and affordable way of overcoming obstacles confronting rural communities and helping children realize their full potential.

Jeffery Ikeaka Community Centre will offer after school programs to children from 7-15 years old from 3:00 pm to 6:00 p.m. time period, after the end of the school day. Approximately 50% of total daily steps taken by children and youth occur in this time period.


ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAME

Africa has the youngest and fastest growing continent in the world. By 2030, there will be 375 million young people in the job market in Africa. Within a few decades, this demographic boom will push Africa’s workforce to more than a billion people, the largest in the world. A significant gap between the number of young people seeking work and the limited employment opportunities available to them means that they will face challenges finding formal employment and a pathway out of poverty. 

The Jeffery Ikeaka Foundation Entrepreneurship programe is an initiative that will address the worrisome youth unemployment rate in Nigeria by building the capacity of youths and funding their business ideas. We aim at equipping youths in Dikenafai with requisite skills seed grants and knowledge to be self employed by starting and managing their own business. Our goal is to empower 50 youths every year. 


GIRLS RIGHT PROGRAMS

Girls continue to be the single most discriminated against and excluded group in the world simply because they are young and female. As a result, they suffer a number of social injustices including dropping out of school, forced early marriages and teenage pregnancy while still in school. Yet girls have the power to create lasting change in their lives and in the world around them.

 Jeffery Ikeaka Foundation will-

-Educate girls against early child marriage and teenage pregnancy

-Menstrual and hygiene management  

-Girls Economic Empowerment

ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM

According to a UNESCO survey, 65 million Nigerians are illiterate despite improvements in Nigeria’s education system. This statistic is alarming for a number of reasons. Illiteracy has adverse impact on the individual and the society at large. People who are illiterate are far more likely to live in poverty, facing a lifetime marred by poor health and social vulnerability.

The Jeffery Ikeaka Foundation will offer adults in Dikenafai from 40 years up an opportunity to learn the basics of reading, writing, financial literacy and computer literacy lessons led by trained instructors who will often be retired teachers or social workers.

We will also offer adults knowledge about health/sanitation, HIV/AIDS, gender rights, etc. These classes will  enable adult learners to improve their language, literacy and life skills unlocking new opportunities for superior job placement with higher compensation and improved community involvement. We estimate to empower over 30 adults annually.

MONTHLY HEALTH SCREENING

Jeffery Ikeaka Community Center will host monthly health screening fairs, inviting various recognized hospitals in Nigeria as well as nutritionist and specialists on exercise and fitness. Blood pressure screenings will also be held. Materials on lifestyles issues (high blood pressure, tobacco use, elevated cholesterol and sedentary lifestyle) will be provided.