JF COMMUNITY CENTRE

SUMMARY OF JF COMMUNITY CETRE
 

For decades rural communities in Nigeria  have been clear about their desires for community centres where community members can access skills vocational training, educational and health programs. 

JF Charity is seeking support for infrastructure development of its inaugural JF Community Centre in Dikenafai, Ideato South L.G.A, Imo State

 JF Charity pilot Community Centre will have the following:

·       1 Multipurpose Room 

·       1 Computer Room/Library

·       1 kitchen 

·       2 Toilets 

·       1  Reception 

·       1 Office Space 

OVERALL JF COMMUNITY CENTRE PROJECT GOALS

·      To provide after school programs for children

·      To provide skills vocational training to youths

·      To offer computer literacy programs for youths

·      To provide health screening programs to the elderly 

·      To provide female rights programs to girls and women 

·      To provide adult literacy programs 

 
 
1.1       ABOUT THE JF COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT
 
JF Community Centre is designed to serve as an avenue where children, youths and all community members will have the opportunity to access skills, vocational training, educational and health programs for the people of Dikenafai and neighboring communities. 

 JF Community Centre will create a sense of value for children and dignified work opportunities for youths which will empower them to live a sustainable life. 

 JF Community Centre will also provide a sense of hope for elderly community members with persistent health problems.

1.2    PLANNED PROGRAMS
 
1.2.1   COMPUTER LITERACY PROGRAM
 
PROBLEM CONTEXTS 
 

Despite the common use of ICT in developing economies as a way to enable improvement in digital skills, there still exist a gap between what is expected and what is required when it comes to proficiency in computer skills among youths in rural communities in Nigeria. This can be attributed to lack of capacity building in the field of computer literacy. This situation calls for the development of a program geared towards equipping the youth with elementary use of computers to enable them acquire basic computer knowledge. It is against this background that a program in basic computer literacy is being proposed to be run in JF Community Centre. This program is being proposed to equip youths with practical basic computer knowledge, as well as improve their computer competences to enable them adapt to the fast changing information society. The program is intended to build in youths a general awareness of the ranges of tasks that can be performed with computers.

 Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has propagated the need for reliance in digital skills as a needed form of educational tool. We do not want a situation where our children are left behind due the lack of technical knowhow in this important skill. 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

 GOALS

Our Computer Literacy training aims to provide youths in Dikenafai with an opportunity to acquire basic computer skills with an understanding of fundamental concepts of the use of computers to enhance their problem solving skills and enable them cultivate positive attitudes towards the ever changing trends in the society.

 OBJECTIVES

After completion of the course, participants should be able to:

 1.     Understand common computing terminologies

2.     Understand the basic principles of operating computer systems

3.     Acquire basic knowledge in computer applications (Microsoft word, power point, publisher, excel, access and etc.)

4.     Make use of common application software packages to carry out simple tasks

5.     Be aware of social issues related to computer applications

6.     Appreciate the advancement brought about by the general use of computers in society.

 1.2.2  AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAME
 
PROBLEM

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, shortage of electricity, 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.

 SOLUTION

 Investing in afterschool programs helps boost a child’s academic performance, promotes physical health and provides safe environment. In areas where prospects and resources are limited, afterschool programs are often the only source of supplemental enrichment in literacy, recreation, education and technology for children. 

Afterschool programs offer an effective and affordable way of overcoming obstacles confronting rural communities and helping children realize their full potential.

The JF Community Centre will offer after school programs to children from 7-13 years old from 3:00 pm to 6:00 p.m time period, after the end of each school day. Approximately 50% of total daily steps taken by children and youth occur in this time period.

JF Community Centre will be offering the following after school programs to children. 

1. Tutoring and homework help

2. Free lunch 

3. Recreational activities

4. Children movie screening

5. History lessons 

1.2.3  GIRLS RIGHT PROGRAM

PROBLEM

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 injustices including having to drop out of school, being forced into early marriages and becoming pregnant while still in school. Providing the right opportunity to girls would enable create lasting change to their lives and in the world around them. 

According to a study from UNICEF, 1 in 3 girls in Sub-Sahara Africa knew nothing about menstruation prior to having their first period. Attitudes towards menstruation and inadequate hygiene facilities are having a detrimental impact on girls’ health and wellbeing. For 2 billion women and girls worldwide, menstruation is a monthly reality, yet in many Sub-Saharan countries girls still face serious challenges when it comes to managing their periods.

SOLUTION

JF Community Centre will achieve the following:

1.     Educate girls against early child marriage and teenage pregnancy

2.     Offer Menstrual and hygiene management

Our girl’s rights programs will support efforts to strengthen women’s rights and education, livelihoods, sexual and reproductive health. We will also work with women who have particular vulnerabilities to violence and discrimination. JF Community Centre is also committed to offering menstrual hygiene management classes to young girls. Together with health workers, teachers and volunteers, we will distribute menstrual hygiene materials in schools and teach girls how to manage their periods so they feel confident and stay in school.

1.2.4  ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM

PROBLEM

According to UNESCO, despite improvements in Nigeria’s education system, 65 million Nigerians remain illiterate. This statistic is alarming for a number of reasons. Illiteracy has adverse impacts on both an individual and the society. People who are illiterate are far more likely to live in poverty because they will not be able to get a job.

SOLUTION

The JF Community Centre 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 teachers or social workers.

These concentrated classes will enable adult learners improve their language, literacy and life skills unlocking new opportunities for job placement with higher compensation and improved community involvement. We estimate to empower over 30 adults annually.

1.2.5  SKILLS VOCATIONAL  TRAINING
 

PROBLEM

The unemployment situation in Nigeria is at a dire stage. Nigeria’s unemployed are classified under two categories: first, the older unemployed who lost their jobs through loss of work or bankruptcy and second, the youths who have no jobs.  Unemployment rate is at 33.3 percent in Nigeria and this needs urgent intervention to avoid high cases of crime and poverty.

SOLUTION

The JF Community Centre skills vocational training is an initiative to address the worrisome youth unemployment rate in Nigeria by building the capacity of youths and teaching them a skill. This program will equip youths in Dikenafai with basic and advanced sewing skills such as designs making, pattern-making and proper use of industrial and sewing machines.

KEY OBJECTIVES

1.     To create an interactive learning platform to train young aspiring entrepreneurs in

1.     entrepreneurship and business management that will ultimately translate into

2.     improved efficiency and productivity.

3.     To kindle the entrepreneurial spirit of the youths.

4.     To act as an incubation center where business ideas are nurtured to their full

5.     potential.

1.2.6  MONTHLY HEALTH SCREENING
 

PROBLEM 

The healthcare system in Nigeria and the health status of Nigerians are in a deplorable state. Nigeria’s overall health system performance was ranked 187th position among the 191 Member States of the World Health Organization in 2017. Health status indicators are worse than the average for sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria over 70% of inhabitants live in rural communities, yet, the area has not attracted sufficient health facilities/projects that would substantially improve the health need of the rural dwellers. Apart from this, most of the health infrastructural facilities are concentrated in urban areas to the neglect of rural areas, and the few health facility located in the rural areas are not functioning effectively 

SOLUTION 

JF Community Center will provide health care to elderly community members in Dikenafai and neighboring communities through health screenings, education and maintenance programs for those with chronic and endemic diseases. Free medication will be provided and continual monitoring and testing will be performed. 

KEY SERVICES 

1.     Blood pressure checking/monitoring 

2.    Blood sugar monitoring 

3.    Hepatitis Screening 

4.    Eye screening 

5.    HIV screening

GOFUND ME GOAL 
 

Our goal is to raise $10,000 

The amount will be utilized for the following activities: 

Furnishing of the Community Center including ancillary works 

Equipping the Computer room 

Funding the vocational training, girls programme, health screening programme for one year
 
Purchase of 18kva generator 

Borehole drilling for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities