After a visit to his home country of Nigeria in May, 2013 graduate Abbey Wemimo reports the
completion of another Clean Water for Everyone (CWFE) project through the student organization, Enactus at the University of Minnesota Crookston. The completion of a project in the Bonjeh schools situated in Okokomaiko (PPL) Ojo Local Government Area in Lagos, Nigeria, is part of ongoing work in that country to provide clean water.
"Our themes for the work in Lagos, Nigeria, this year were water, sanitation, and education and Enactus took several steps in order to bring this work to fruition," says Abbey, who spearheaded the effort.
A 1600-gallon water system was installed providing access to water for more than 1,000 school students coupled with another 15,500 from the surrounding community receiving indirect benefit. They also renovated three toilet facilities and built two additional ones. Along with the work for increased access to clean water and sanitation, a reciprocal relationship with the school has resulted in one-year scholarships for 30 students in Bonjeh school. The average annual (three terms) school fees per student is $190. After a negotiation process with the principal and owners of the school, they agreed to award 30 Bonjeh School students one-year full scholarship.
This agreement means CWFE only paid 19% ($1300) and Bojeh schools invested $5700 in scholarship money bringing the project total to $7000.
"The scholarship selection process was very competitive, as the students were required to submit an essay, a letter of recommendation, academic records, and a resume," Abbey says. "We received over 100 applications but painstaking selected 30 student based on the quality of their essay.
"Students of Bonjeh Schools will now have access to clean water, proper sanitation, and 30 students will have access to a one-year full scholarship, Abbey continues. This project would have been impossible without the boundless support of the Crookston community and the generous donations of people around the country.
Abbey is deeply grateful on behalf of Clean Water for Everyone extends his gratitude to the University of Minnesota Crookston Encatus team, the Crookston community and the Clean Water for Everyone project team.
Today the University of Minnesota Crookston delivers 28 bachelor's degree programs, 20 minors, and 39 concentrations on campus--as well as 11 degrees online--in the areas of agriculture and natural resources; business; liberal arts and education; and math, science and technology. With an enrollment of 1,800 undergraduates from 25 countries and 40 states, the Crookston campus offers a supportive, close-knit atmosphere that leads to a prestigious University of Minnesota degree. "Small Campus. Big Degree." To learn more, visit www.umcrookston.edu.
In the photo, at right, is Abbey Wemimo standing near the new 1600-gallon water system installed near Bonjeh schools in Lagos, Nigeria.
In the photo, at left, Abbey Wemimo with students who received scholarships as part of reciprocal relationship with Bonjeh school to provide 30 students with one-year scholarships.