Anne Batchedler’s First Report Back from Nigeria!


Nov 19th, 2007 12:09 PM EST
By anne.batchelder

When I started working for the ONE Campaign in 2005 I had just come back from a year in Ghana, working on small-scale economic community development projects. Working for ONE, and advocating for ONE’s core issues, it was very real to me that we were working to help families support themselves through life-saving medicines, important clean water and hygiene programs, and through creating economic opportunities by making trade more fair – the kinds of things that people in Ghana desperately needed.

111907annebNow, I am back in Africa – Nigeria, this time, and again working on a community development project – the Gwaimen Center, a community-based sustainability center to support widows and orphans in Kwoi, Nigeria. Now that things have come full circle, I am now seeing the fruits of ONE’s arduous labors.

During my first week here, we stopped at a clinic in Kagoro to visit a friend. One of the first things that I noticed was this sign. “USAID had been here – from the American people.”

I suddenly had the clearest image of members of ONE’s amazing dedicated staff (whom I miss greatly!), ONE volunteers from around the country, and the 2.4 million ONE supporters, calling their leaders and asking them to support important initiatives like this. ONE is on the front lines – fighting for things that make a difference in the lives of people in other countries – from the American people.

I’ve only been here two weeks, so will continue to send stories from the ground!

-Anne Batchelder, ONE member, former ONE Deputy Field Director, and founder of the Gwaimen Center in Kwoi, Nigeria

TAGS: Anne Batchelder, Gwaimen Center, Nigeria, USAID

 

12 Comments

  1. Virginia Simmonssays: Nov 19th, 2007 12:28 PM EST

    November 19, 2007 at 12:28 pm

    Thanks for the post Anne! It’s great to hear from you.
  2. Kimberlysays: Nov 19th, 2007 12:33 PM EST

    November 19, 2007 at 12:33 pm

    That’s a nice thing to hear. It’s really good to hear from you! Don’t be a stranger.
  3. Josh Chernila, ONE Online Communities Coordinatorsays: Nov 19th, 2007 12:40 PM EST

    November 19, 2007 at 12:40 pm

    Keep up the great work, Anne. We miss you.
  4. Matthewsays: Nov 19th, 2007 1:19 PM EST

    November 19, 2007 at 1:19 pm

    Way to go Anne! Very, very, amazing work!
  5. Elaine VanCleavesays: Nov 19th, 2007 2:32 PM EST

    November 19, 2007 at 2:32 pm

    Proud of you Anne! You’re amazing.
    I want to come visit you!!!
    :)

  6. Debbie Ksays: Nov 19th, 2007 5:46 PM EST

    November 19, 2007 at 5:46 pm

    Anne,

    I am very sorry to hear the news that you are no longer a National Field Director for ONE. You brought a level of sincerity and genuine enthusiasm to all that you did which is rarely seen in ever-expanding organizations.

    The common person, the everyday volunteer, often gets forgotten by organizations as they seek to reach an ever-growing constituency. While this may be a bit unavoidable, you were always able to see the person behind the volunteer and treat everyONE with the respect that we all deserve.

    We must never forget, in our efforts to help speed up the end of extreme poverty and AIDS in our world, that we ALL MAKE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS to ONE – whether we are paid staff or volunteers in the field.

    And as such, let us not forget the phrase upon which I think this organization was founded
    “We’re ONE but we’re not the same. We get to carry each other.”

    Let’s continue to live and advocate by those words.~

    Take very good care of yourself, Anne. I’m glad that you found your way home. I’m heading that way soon too.

    Blessings – not just for those who kneel.

    ALWAYS ONE in the Spirit, debbie :)

  7. samuel Ogbonnayasays: Nov 20th, 2007 4:42 AM EST

    November 20, 2007 at 4:42 am

    I am happy to read that there is a ONE member in my country Nigeria working for the good of the people.Ever since i joined the one group 2 years ago,I have been proud to add a voice to good.Anne I am happy for you.I am a Nigerian and I am in Lagos Nigeria.I will like to see you.Is there anyway I can be of help in person to your work? Please tell me and I will honestly serve.I am glad that the ONE voice is heard all over.Congrats to all for the feat in ensuring Liberia debt is cancelled.I am happy for all of us.I believe that together we will continue to make a difference.Alot will be achieved together.I am also unjustly treated by the Canadian embassy.It hurts to see how they are treating my request for a study permit.I got admission in YORK UNIVERISTY.They couldnt even call me for an interview nor did they ask the school anything about my admissionrbut returned my application saying there are not sure I will leave canada after my studies.Does that say anything when I am not even there yet? I made an appeal in court there over the decision and till now I am writing to the Honourable ONE members I am yet to be given a guideline to follow.My admission was later deffered to January,but January is just around the coner and I dont know what to to.
    That is pure injustice and is not fair at all.I am pleading that they should allow me go there to study.It will boost my future ambitions and give me a better idea on how to contribute to my country economic life.Nigeria needs a change of attitude and ideas.My country educational way is unpredictable as people spend more years in school than there are suppose due to unrealistic school calendar and strikes.Please add your voice in any way you can.

    But Anne,let me know how I can meet you.It will be nice to see ONE member in my life.Thanks

    Sincerely,
    Samuel Ogbonnaya.
    ONE member
  8. Nadja Galesays: Nov 20th, 2007 2:32 PM EST

    November 20, 2007 at 2:32 pm

    Hi Anne,

    I was one of many who met you at the Twin Cities training program in March. Am very proud of what you are doing and accomplishing. !!!!

    Lots of Love,

    Nadja
  9. zabethsays: Nov 21st, 2007 2:29 AM EST

    November 21, 2007 at 2:29 am

    am sooooooooo happy to hear this. am a nigeria and currently woking in a microfinance bank in nigeria. if there anything i can do to help. kindly mail me… i would love to see u. i cureent live in lagos.
  10. Lori Saltveitsays: Nov 21st, 2007 8:06 PM EST

    November 21, 2007 at 8:06 pm

    Anne – I was so glad to hear your news from Nigeria. What wonderful work you are doing. – Lori
  11. Vicky Rateausays: Nov 29th, 2007 5:28 AM EST

    November 29, 2007 at 5:28 am

    Good to hear from you and what you’re doing! ‘Look forward to hearing more about your new work!
  12. Becca Malesasays: Dec 2nd, 2007 11:28 AM EST

    December 2, 2007 at 11:28 am

    Hi Anne-

    I’m glad to hear you’re doing well! I tracked down your blog :) . I can’t wait to hear what’s next.

    Becca

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