By Rahab Yachat Kwaja (YES 2005-2006, Nigeria, placed by IRIS in Newton, IA)

I grew up in a small community with limited resources, and the opportunity to participate in the YES program was a life-changing experience that opened my eyes to a world of possibilities. One of the most impactful experiences was visiting a nursing home with my host family, where I witnessed the care and respect given to the elderly – something scarce in my home country. This experience sparked my passion for community service and laid the foundation for my future work in supporting the elderly in Nigeria.

In Plateau State, many communities have faced violence and conflict, resulting in widespread displacement and economic disruption. Financial instability is common in these areas and within camps for internally displaced people (IDP), creating a cycle of poverty. Despite these hardships, the people here are resilient and resourceful, united by a strong sense of community and a rich cultural heritage. However, the elderly and their caregivers often face isolation, neglect, and poverty, worsened by the life in IDP camps. Witnessing my community's positive spirit and willingness to support one another inspired me to apply for a YES Alumni Grant to empower caregivers and improve the wellbeing of the elderly they support.

My team and I organized a five-day workshop that combined financial literacy training with hands-on skills sessions on producing cosmetics and household items, such as soap, lotion, and cleaning agents. We chose these products due to the low startup costs and high market demand, which can offer immediate income-generating opportunities. We trained 240 caregivers from IDP camps and communities in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu. In these regions, many caregivers are also IDPs themselves, having been forced to flee their homes due to instability. This dual burden – being caregivers and IDPs – makes their situation particularly challenging, as they often struggle to provide for themselves and those they care for.

These caregivers are mostly women who have taken on the responsibility of caring for elderly family members or community members, often with little or no formal training or support. By equipping them with practical skills, we wanted to empower them to meet their immediate needs and build a foundation for sustainable economic independence.

The events, held in August at the Barkin Ladi Youth Center, were attended by esteemed community and religious leaders, including Hon. Danjuma Dakim, Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area; Comrade Datok Dachallom, Secretary of the Plateau Youth Council; Rev. Emmanuel Chai, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); Abdullahi Hassan, Special Adviser to the former governor on small-scale enterprises; and Mallam Danjuma Abdulkadir, representing the Jamatu Nasiru Islam and the Muslim community. These dignitaries emphasized the importance of the training, encouraging participants to leverage their newly acquired skills for economic growth and self-sufficiency. During the practical sessions, participants were guided by experienced trainers, and we facilitated connections with local entrepreneurs, who served as mentors to provide ongoing support and advice.

Throughout the project, we engaged with the local community to gather feedback and ensure the training met their needs. We also encouraged participants to share their knowledge with others, fostering a ripple effect of skills and learning. Each trained caregiver was encouraged to share their newly acquired skills and knowledge with at least 50 other people in their communities. This step-down training approach means that the benefits of the project extend far beyond the initial group of participants, potentially reaching thousands of people across the region. We have already received reports from several caregivers who have started teaching others in their communities.

The outcomes of our project were significant and far-reaching. Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the transformative nature of the project.

One caregiver shared, "I had never really understood how to save money or plan for the future. This training has opened my eyes to the possibilities. I now feel like I have control over my finances and can make better decisions for myself and those I care for."

Another participant said, "Learning to make soap and other household items has given me hope. I plan to start a small business selling these products to support my family and provide better care for the elderly in my community."

Several participants have already begun to see the benefits of the training. A group of caregivers from Barkin Ladi LGA have started a collective to produce and sell cosmetics and household items they learned to make during the workshop. They reported that the income generated from these activities will improve their living conditions and enable them to provide better care for the elderly.

My long-term hope for this project is to create a sustainable and scalable model for improving the socio-economic conditions of caregivers and the elderly in IDP camps and surrounding communities. I aim to build on the success of this project by developing additional training programs and resources that address emerging needs. This includes expanding the range of vocational skills offered, such as advanced cosmetic production techniques, small-scale agriculture, and entrepreneurship. By continually adapting to the needs of the community and incorporating feedback from participants, we can ensure that the program remains relevant and impactful. To track progress and impact, I plan to implement a robust monitoring and evaluation system. This will involve regular follow-up surveys, impact assessments, and feedback sessions with participants.

Working on this project reinforced my belief in the transformative power of community-driven solutions and the importance of adapting to the evolving needs of those we aim to help. I am deeply moved by the resilience and dedication of everyone involved. This initiative was not just about meeting immediate needs but also fostering long-term change and empowerment.

My team was instrumental in the project’s success, each member brought unique skills and perspectives that shaped our approach. I am grateful for their commitment and collaborative spirit, which made it possible to reach and support so many individuals.

My deepest thanks go to the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program and my recruiting organization Iowa Resource for International Service (IRIS), which provided me with the invaluable opportunity to experience life in the U.S. and gain insights that have profoundly influenced my life and work. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs deserves my sincere thanks for sponsoring the YES program and making such transformative experiences possible.