ICYE Nigeria strategy is to promote a positive image of Nigeria as a long-term volunteering destination. It seeks to increase the numbers of young Nigerians who volunteer abroad as well as the young volunteers it hosts in the country. To achieve this, the team is working on strengthening relations with partner organisations nationally and internationally. It will encourage volunteering organisations around the world to organise Info-days on African studies, anthropology, etc. targeting students and other young people. Simultaneously, ICYE Nigeria will create a profile of its projects and activities, which is more informative and attractive to young people. It will develop a new website, where volunteers can link their blogs and share experiences, where host project profiles highlight the benefits of volunteering, the incredible opportunity for self-development volunteering offers, as well as the safe areas in the country and measures in place to ensure the safety of volunteers in Nigeria.

EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:

Info-meetings

To mark the 65 year anniversary of ICYE Nigeria and make it more visible in the country, ICYE Nigeria arranged two information meetings. The first meeting took place April 29^th at a Youth Centre in Yaba. The second one took place June 2^nd in an auditorium at the University of Lagos. Participants included both high school- and university students as well as local youth leaders. At both meetings the participants were introduced to the ICYE programme and the history and activities of ICYE. Afterwards they learned about the benefits of being a volunteer and how to get involved in the ICYE programme. Both meetings were a success and the participants showed great interest in the volunteering programme.

Photos from the info-meetings:

On 22^nd of July 2017, ICYE Nigeria arranged an info-session in the Baptist Church in Yaba. Here ICYE Nigeria made a presentation about ICYE and its programmes. They focused on the uniqueness of a volunteering experience, the opportunities it can open up for and the excitement of living a life away from home. Furthermore, the event was attended by “The Lydia Auxiliary Group” This is a group of young Ladies between the ages of 17-25. They mentor and guide young girls from this age until they get married. The event was attended by 30 young girls.

Photos from the info-session:

The Role of Young People in Voluntary Service

On 24th June 2017, ICYE Nigeria organised an Info-session entitled ‘The Role of Young People in Voluntary Service’ in collaboration with the Baptist Student Fellowship. Attended by about 20 people, the Info-session comprised a range of interactive role plays and group discussions to create awareness of the importance of volunteering and the art of serving people, as well as its impact on society at large.

Photos from the Info-session:

“Making ICYE Visible”

On 9th July 2017, ICYE Nigeria organised the event “Making ICYE Visible” at the Yaba Youth Centre. A concert for teenagers organised by the Yaba Community Youth Association became the perfect opportunity to present ICYE Nigeria and its volunteering programme. See photos of the event below:

New Website

In April this year, ICYE Nigeria launched its new website to make it more informative and attractive to young people in Nigeria and across the world. Check out their new website here.

Volunteer Blogs

At the beginning of Juli 2017, ICYE Nigeria launched a blog which displays volunteers’ experiences and stories. The first blog features the story of Olamide Ojuokaiye, a volunteer in Switzerland, who narrates his experiences volunteering in the country.

In the second blog, meet Samuel Seidi from Austria who narrates his experiences volunteering in Nigeria.

New volunteer blogs will follow soon and can be  read here or on ICYE Nigeria’s Facebook page.