In 2006, I was an international visitor funded by the US state department and one of the places I visited was the Martin Luther King Centre, Atlanta. While listening to recorded speech of MLK (jnr.), I heard him say something! It hit me like a thunderbolt and I wrote it down in my travel journal. That statement left me restless and with questions! I sat up that night and wrote a concept note from the key words. On our last stop in San Diego, I made a presentation on what I will do going forward with the knowledge and experience gathered. “Turning COMMUNITY CONCERNS into CITIZENS’ ACTIONS.”
Those were the words that caught my attention and from these words I got inspired to do what I am doing till today! 1. Martin Luther King Club for Elementary school kids. 2. The Leadership Club for Girls. 3. Healing Hearts Widows Support Foundation. The above 3 were founded as a result of this trip and those words and I have remained resilient and consistent!
Are there challenges? Sure! From the needs being met by the above 3 you could decipher what those concerns were, most especially for the number 3. In 2017, I returned to the US as a Goldstar visitor, fully funded by the State Department and among the places I visited was the MLK centre and this time, had a meeting with the management of the Centre. Then a visit to CIS Atlanta and meeting with the ED opened up a new vista! The PASteam of the US Consulate, Lagos, from 2005 till date, I am eternally grateful for everything. I cannot write my story without mentioning your role and huge support. Take this as my appreciation note! Is there any lesson in this for any friend out there? www.gozieudemezue.com www.hhwidows.org for details of work done!
Indeed turning community concerns into citizens action. This should be a must for everyone if we are to make this world a better place. Thanks for this.