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.