By Joseph Maicibi Latimo (YES 2011-2012, Nigeria, placed by AYUSA in Greeley, CO)

My name is Joseph, and I am currently a postgraduate biotechnology student at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria. Being a YES alumnus remains one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Though my exchange journey ended years ago, the memories feel as fresh as if it were yesterday. I vividly recall the warm welcome from my host mom, my first public speaking presentation, volunteering in algebra class, and meeting so many other YES students. These moments shaped my character and leadership skills. My experience also sparked my passion for helping others and solving problems. Tutoring students in need instilled in me a deep sense of volunteerism and compassion, driving my desire to find and offer solutions to challenges.

After returning home, the YES alumni community became a strong source of support, helping me navigate post-exchange life. While I enjoyed a rewarding teenage experience, many in my community, particularly women and children in Gombe State, face significant challenges. Gombe has drawn national attention due to recurring incidents of gender-based violence (GBV). Most social efforts focus on prevention and legal action; much less attention is given to the health and emotional recovery of survivors. This realization inspired me to gather a team of fellow alumni to approach the issue from a health and wellness perspective.

With support from a YES Alumni Grant, I launched the Safer Women, Safer Societies project. Through this initiative, YES alumni volunteers worked alongside the USG Alumni Gombe State coalition and strengthened partnerships with the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency (GSPHCDA). Given the sensitive nature of the project, volunteers prepared by completing online courses to improve their knowledge of GBV programming and interventions before the project began. This preparation was essential for engaging participants effectively and producing a powerful radio jingle.

Through the project, 30 healthcare workers were trained on effective response strategies and tools for addressing instances of gender-based violence within their local communities. Previously, GBV cases were often referred to specialized hospitals, despite the fact that they could have been handled at the primary care level, which overwhelmed these secondary healthcare facilities. With this training, primary healthcare workers are now better equipped to manage these cases independently, reducing the burden on specialized hospitals.

We shared the workshop findings with the GSPHCDA, recommending ongoing collaboration and continued engagement with project beneficiaries to ensure long-term impact. I envision this partnership leading to the creation of safe spaces within Gombe's primary healthcare facilities for addressing gender-based violence. My hope is that everyone in Gombe, regardless of age, sex, or gender, will feel as safe and secure as I did in my childhood.

A representative from the GSPHCDA expressed gratitude to the project leaders, saying, "We sincerely appreciate your commitment to prioritizing the health and well-being of women. I encourage the alumni team to continue this important work and assure you of our agency's full support moving forward."

By the end of the training, participants showed confidence in using the surveillance and reporting tools and techniques they had learned. They also demonstrated increased empathy and readiness to offer psychological support to survivors of GBV. Participant presentations during breakout sessions reflected a strong grasp of the topics and skills. They are also committed to sharing the knowledge gained with other healthcare workers at their facilities, using the workshop manual as a guide.

I was deeply impressed by the dedication of my fellow alumni involved in this project. The empathy participants showed after hearing some of the cases handled by the consulting facilitator made me realize that compassionate, well-meaning individuals are all around us, eager to make a difference with their skills and resources. I am proud to have been part of a journey that helped them recognize the profound value of their profession in bringing hope to those in desperate need, such as survivors of gender-based violence.

Special thanks to my fellow alumni and non-alumni volunteers for their dedication and resourcefulness. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Iowa Resource for International Service (IRIS) for their unwavering support before, during, and after my exchange year. I am also deeply grateful to the Gombe State Primary Healthcare Development Agency for mobilizing participants and granting us access to their healthcare facilities. I sincerely appreciate the ongoing support from the Gombe State USG Alumni community. Finally, my deepest appreciation goes to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, for sponsoring the YES program and the YES Alumni Grants program, which made it possible for us to positively impact lives in Gombe.